Rotary Club of Oak Bay Meeting 24 May 2016 - Christopher Donison on "Music by the Sea", Bamfield

Reporter: Ron Cooley

Lynn Murray delivered the Invocation

Phil Neroutsos introduced the visitors and guests

Visiting Rotarians: Dr. John Snively, Nelson; Rob Garry, Victoria; Roger Finan Victoria

Interactors: Ruby Tang; Tara Matthews

Guest: Christopher Donison Guest Speaker

Announcements:

• President Heather informed us that the District Governor Joanne Croghan will not visit our club this year and as an alternate, we can meet her at a Salmon BBQ Aug 21, 2016 3-6pm at the Charter River Salmon Interpretive Centre 2895 Sooke River Road. Tickets are $40pp  spouses/partners are welcome. No Host bar. Tickets (200 only) available until Aug 5, 2016 See President Heathe.
• Neil Rawnsley read a thank you from Principal/Directrice Terri Smith Ecole George Jay Elementary: 

"I wanted to say thank you again for the "big deal'" you made for our students last week; they were tickled pink and are still talking about how fancy the lunch was. On another note, I would like to invite your members to join us for Rock the Salish Sea; our upcoming concert including Holly Arntzen and the George Jay Singers. Thursday June 2, 7pm Victoria High School Auditorium doors open 6:30. Tickets $10 at George Jay or at the door.

• Bob Schelle has sent out a notice requesting dates you will be away for the next year as he is putting together the Roster for the year. Please respond ASAP. It is your responsibility to find a replacement if you can not make your assigned duty. He has only had 20 responses.

50/50:

Lorna Curtis our Celebrations Master started off with $1 for anyone who did not sit with her.

$1 for anyone who did not have a flag for the long weekend.

$1 to John Snively for missing him

$1 to Sanjay Uppal for  not doing the bulletin

Birthdays: Anne McIntyre May 26; Renate Gibbs May 28

Club Anniversaries: Jim Force  & Steve Sharlow.

Joan Peggs was happy we had 321 Flags out over the long weekend. Sad we lost 5.

President Heather won the draw --sad no marble to win the big pot.

Guest Speaker: Christopher Donison

Joan Peggs introduced our speaker. 

Composer, conductor, pianist, inventor and interior decorator.

He started in the music world in 1976 at the Belfry Theater.

He is a flag subscriber

His most recent project is to present the largest musical instrument in the world. Music By the Sea is a 10 year old project to create an international level music festival and mentoring school in the historic village of Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island.  In past seasons, the season was launched with a set of fanfares performed by a trumpet in a rowboat from the middle of the inlet, performing a back and forth piece of music with other musicians on the shore and the Coast guard providing cannon fire and sirens.

For the 10th anniversary, he has developed, in conjunction with Limbic Media of Victoria, a system which will enable a performer with a keyboard to "Play" a set of tuned ships horns remotely. The system uses compressed air supplied buy Scuba tanks to sound the horns.

The project is building 25 horns each tuned differently over a 2 octave range. This will be the largest musical instrument in the world.

The system has attracted a humpback whale on both occasions it was used.

For Canada's 150th Birthday celebration, the system will play God Save the Queen, O' Canada and a specially written new piece for the event.

You will be able to access this remotely and listen to it on your smart phone. There is a Ted talk about the Centennial Square presentation.

Music by the Sea; Bamfield, Vancouver Island BC July 2-10 http://www.musicbythesea.ca or call 250-728-3887.

There are packages available with hotel. Best way to travel is fly 1 way and return by water on the "Lady Rose" to Port Alberni.

Don O'Coffey thanked the Speaker.