Chair: Tom Savary

O Canada: followed by a Moment of Reflection

 

There were no guests or visiting Rotarians.

 

Guest Speaker: Angela Dwyer

 

Tom introduced our guest speaker. 

 

Spending part of her childhood in Newfoundland, music played a big part in Angela’s life. She loved participating in choir, playing the clarinet in the school band, taking piano lessons and she also discovered the joys of the ukulele through her involvement in the Chalmers Doane Ukulele program.  Her career pursuits took her away from playing music regularly but happily she re-discovered her ukulele in adulthood and fell in love all over again!
 
Angela is Director of the James Hill Ukulele Initiative, a program that works with teachers all over the world certifying them to teach the Hill/Doane ukulele method.  She is also a Masters student working on a thesis that is exploring the concept of playing with teaching. Angela is currently Director of the Marigold Ukulele Players and runs a small teaching studio. She also is the Coordinator of the Marigold Ukulele Festival held every two years in Truro. She performs in her community with various ensembles taking her turn on ukulele, double bass and piano. She also sings in the Cantabile Singers of Truro as well as with the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus. And life has come full circle as she takes a weekly music lesson with Chalmers Doane at his studio in South Maitland.
 
One of the reasons Angela loves to teach is because of the effect music has on people’s lives. “I particularly love the ukulele! I have witnessed the ukulele not only as an educational tool, butas a vehicle for building social groups, a companion through serious illness, a team builder for a staff group, and as an antidote for lonely seniors. My students range in age from 5 to 95 years and no matter what the age, learning the ukulele is the beginning of a wondrous journey!”
 
 Angela who spoke about Music and how it provides us with peace and comfort. She told us a couple of stories of how she was invited to perform with her ukulele and sing for the occupants of Parkland Estates from the parking lot, during the pandemic, and how she played and sang and the song was echoed  by the residents through their windows.  She told us a story of visiting her grandmother in a nursing home, who was unresponsive to her, and when she sung a favorite hymn she began to feel her grandmother squeeze her hand.
 
The message was how music moves people through emotions, happy or sad, provides peace and comfort.
 
  
Committee Reports 
 
-          Question was asked about the Yearbook and if it was going to go ahead. The chair of the committee was not at the meeting, so I volunteered to contact the chair and see if we can get an update for next Mondays meeting.
 
-          Laurie Sanderson gave an updated on the “Swim for Polio” and is looking for more swimmers, the date will be August 16 or August 23 it has not been finalized. Swimmers will be looking for pledges.
 
-          Matthew Berrigan gave an update on behalf of the Community Cares Committee.
 
  
No Secretary or  President report.

 

Esther has sent out an email providing the zoom link for the meetings for the rest of the year.  Please note we do not meet on holiday Mondays.  
   
Happy Mug – Joanna McGowan and Christine Blair
  
Meeting adjourned 1:00 pm

 

Thank you to Tom Savary for providing notes for this meeting.