You only turn 50 once (unless you live in denial), so, rather suitably, supporters of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra got together Monday to celebrate half a century of music making with a season-opening concert and fundraising reception at the National Arts Centre.
Maestro and music director David Currie led a champagne toast to the performing arts organization and its 50 years, but not before first recognizing the hard work and generous support of the community.
“We’ve had some difficult times trying to keep this thing afloat. We’re doing pretty well because of people like you,” said Currie, speaking to roughly 300 guests in the NAC Panorama Room.
Present at the reception was the OSO’s board president, Martha Hynna, along with her predecessors, Susan Annis and David Gardner.
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![Ottawa Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor David Currie with his wife, Nancy, at the Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor David Currie with his wife, Nancy, at the Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![From left, Jennifer Currie with John Gomez, former concertmaster with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the OSO's board president, Martha Hynna, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Jennifer Currie with John Gomez, former concertmaster with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the OSO's board president, Martha Hynna, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![From left, Wendy Bryans, Susan Carter and Susan Annis at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Wendy Bryans, Susan Carter and Susan Annis at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![From left, Miles Broughton, Victoria Lauren Potter and Nick Sondagar at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2013, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Miles Broughton, Victoria Lauren Potter and Nick Sondagar at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2013, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Bill Caswell, chair of Ottawa Singers, with Sharon McGarry, president of Hulse, Playfair &; McGarry, and Yawen Han at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
Bill Caswell, chair of Ottawa Singers, with Sharon McGarry, president of Hulse, Playfair &; McGarry, and Yawen Han at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Ottawa Symphony Orchestra board vice-president Maureen Boyd with Jeannie Thomas and Jane Clark at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra board vice-president Maureen Boyd with Jeannie Thomas and Jane Clark at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![From left, Irma Sachs with Dr. Norman Barwin and his wife, Myrna Barwin, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Irma Sachs with Dr. Norman Barwin and his wife, Myrna Barwin, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Juno Award-winning violinist Alexandre Da Costa, seen at the reception, earned a new fan, former journalist Marsha Skuce, following his performance with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Juno Award-winning violinist Alexandre Da Costa, seen at the reception, earned a new fan, former journalist Marsha Skuce, following his performance with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![David Currie, conductor and music director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, addresses reception guests after the orchestra's season-opening concert on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
David Currie, conductor and music director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, addresses reception guests after the orchestra's season-opening concert on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Yves Laberge, general manager of sponsor Star Motors, with his wife, Lynn, at the Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Yves Laberge, general manager of sponsor Star Motors, with his wife, Lynn, at the Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![From left, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra conductor and music director David Currie chats with François Gauthier and Jim Nininger at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
From left, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra conductor and music director David Currie chats with François Gauthier and Jim Nininger at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![Ottawa Symphony Orchestra]()
From left, BLG partner Marc Jolicoeur with his wife, Kathleen Faulkner, and David Currie, music director and conductor of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra at the post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![from left, Habiba Chakir and Mimi Surada pose at the photo booth at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
from left, Habiba Chakir and Mimi Surada pose at the photo booth at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Doug Baum, former head of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, with his wife, Ulle Baum, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Doug Baum, former head of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, with his wife, Ulle Baum, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![Emcee Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, host of CBC News Ottawa, with Snookie Lomow, volunteer chair of special events for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Emcee Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, host of CBC News Ottawa, with Snookie Lomow, volunteer chair of special events for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![From left, Sylvie Doucet and Raphael Girard with Allison Dingle, volunteer chair of fundraising for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Sylvie Doucet and Raphael Girard with Allison Dingle, volunteer chair of fundraising for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at the orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Mac Brown and his wife, MJ Brown, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Mac Brown and his wife, MJ Brown, at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![From left, Susan Hallett with sponsor Marina Kun from Kun Shoulder Rest at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.]()
From left, Susan Hallett with sponsor Marina Kun from Kun Shoulder Rest at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.
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![Ottawa Citizen classical music critic Natasha Gauthier in conversation with David Currie, conductor and music director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at a reception that followed the orchestra's season-opening concert at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Ottawa Citizen classical music critic Natasha Gauthier in conversation with David Currie, conductor and music director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, at a reception that followed the orchestra's season-opening concert at the National Arts Centre on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
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![Emcee Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa News with party guest Ann Kouimtzis, who won the 50-50 draw at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.]()
Emcee Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa News with party guest Ann Kouimtzis, who won the 50-50 draw at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
Photos: Around Town at the Ottawa Symphony's post-concert reception, Oct. 6
Around Town was at the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare post-concert reception held Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at the NAC
Allison Dingle, who heads the OSO fundraising, was in the room, as was Snookie Lomow, chair of special events.
Also mingling was award-winning concert violinist Alexandre Da Costa, who performed with the 100-member community-based orchestra that night.
Guests heard from Yves Laberge, general manager of sponsor Star Motors.The luxury car dealership invited 170 customers as part of its client appreciation night.
It also supports the arts through the OSO’s Symphony for Schools program, which gives thousands of local kids the opportunity to attend a free symphony orchestra concert each year.
“Our association with Ottawa Symphony goes way back and we’re very proud of our partnership,” Laberge told the room.
Not to go unnoticed were Star Motors’ new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA compact SUV and C-Class sedan, both on display in the lower lobby.
“Nice parking spots you’ve got down there,” teased MC Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa News. “It’s still going to cost you $11.”
The party wrapped up with guest Ann Kouimtzis winning the 50-50 draw.
“I’ve never won anything in my life,” said Kouimtzis as she collected her $1,400 in winnings.
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