By Matt Heller, OCSM Secretary
OCSM has 21 orchestras, spanning over 6,000 kilometres. If you think of our nation as an enormous double bass bow, we were last at the frog (Halifax) in 2014, and at the tip (Victoria) in 2008. Recently we’ve spent some time in the lower third, where so many great strokes happen: Kitchener-Waterloo in 2024, Toronto in 2025. Our last visit to the middle, Winnipeg, was way back in 2006. Rosin up, because this summer, from August 11 to 14, we’ll be back.
OCSM Conferences always have a lot to look forward to, even if you’re not a weirdo who likes to compare Canada to a double bass bow. Meeting with colleagues from around the country, and all the intriguing, insightful, and unexpected conversations they can spark, is always my favourite part. We always set aside a significant amount of time for Conference Topics, our label for all those yet-to-be programmed discussions. Many of those topics will be introduced by your colleagues in Delegate Verbal Reports. Those sessions are closed to guests, because they can include sensitive topics.
We will hear from Orchestras Canada Executive Director Katherine Carleton, who recently announced she’ll be stepping down from that position later next year. Katherine’s reports are a highlight of OCSM Conferences for many of us. She delves deeply into topics that managers aren’t always eager to talk about: government funding and advocacy, audience strategies, recruiting for diversity, and much more. We will also hear reports from representatives of the Musicians Pension Fund of Canada, our fellow Player Conferences, AFM IEB President Tino Gagliardi, and Vice-President from Canada Allistair Elliott. OCSM Delegates are an inquisitive bunch, so many of these presenters will keep their prepared remarks short, knowing that the best stuff frequently comes out in the Q and A period.
OCSM Legal Counsel Michael Wright will be with us to talk about preparing for a negotiation, as well as uses and misuses of Non-Disclosure Agreements in our industry. That will set the table for a presentation from the Safe Music Initiative, a project led by OCSM members Jemma Jones and Gwen Klassen, which aims to make music workplaces and educational settings free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
Symphonic Services Division Director Rochelle Skolnick and Field Negotiator Richard Sandals are a regular presence throughout OCSM Conferences. In addition to their regular reports and participation, Richard will lead a special training session for Orchestra Committee members and Local Officers on Tuesday morning, which he wrote about in the last Una Voce. We will also have a presentation on the 2025 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Strike with VSO Delegate Rebecca Whitling, who was a lead negotiator.
Conference days can stretch long and dense with weighty topics. We always try to include a session on musicians’ health as well, which this year will be the Neuroscience of Practicing with Dr. Molly Gebrian. Dr. Gebrian, a violist and neuroscientist, offers ideas and research to optimize practice for students and professionals.
If you are able to join us in Winnipeg as a Delegate or guest, I look forward to seeing you! Guests can register using this link. If you can’t be there but are interested in connecting virtually, please send me a message, as we may be able to set up a Zoom link for certain sessions. A big part of the OCSM Delegate job is to report back to orchestras in the fall, so I hope you will ask them questions, find out more, and consider being an OCSM Delegate for a future summer. There are lots more parts of that big Canadian double bass bow to explore.
2026 Conference in Brief:
(All times CDT)
Tuesday, August 11
- Morning workshop for Orchestra Committee and Local Officers, led by Richard Sandals, SSD.
- Official Call to Order at 1pm
- Legal counsel presentation by Michael Wright, Negotiation and NDAs (1:30-3pm)
- Delegate Reports (in camera)
Wednesday, August 12
- Report from Katherine Carleton, Orchestras Canada; Conference topics with Katherine. (9-11am)
- Neuroscience of Practicing, with Dr. Molly Gebrian (11am-12n)
- Musicians Pension Fund of Canada (2-3pm)
- Musical Instrument Insurance with Western Financial (3-3:30pm)
- IEB and Player Conference reports (approx. 3:45-5:30pm)
- Evening social event -- details TBA
Thursday, August 13
- Vancouver Symphony Strike presentation with Becky Whitling (11am-12n)
- Safe Music Initiative with Jemma Jones and Gwen Klassen (4-5pm)
- Delegate Reports (in camera)
Friday, August 14
- OCSM Annual General Meeting (9am)
- Conference Topics
- Adjournment approx. 1pm