Dear CAMMAC friends,

After 12 years, I am stepping down from the Artistic Director’s position. Those years have been stimulating for me, and it was a privilege to get to know so many aspects of the organisation, to meet and appreciate many of our members, to work with so many outstanding professional musicians and to enjoy the special ambiance which is unique to the Centre.

I am delighted that Patricia Abbott has accepted to become the next Artistic Director: Patricia has conducted choirs now for over 25 years and at CAMMAC, she has been assistant director and conductor of the last two weeks now for many summers. In addition, Patricia has a vast experience of art organizations management and is an adept of the famous “CAMMAC spirit” which sets the Centre in a class of its own. It is with confidence that I pass the baton on to her, and with pleasure that I wish her and CAMMAC every success.

I wish to thank warmly all the week directors who helped make the program what it is, in particular Anne-Marie Denoncourt, Francis Colpron and Jean-Marc Dugré; and also Jan Simons, who taught me never to postpone to tomorrow what you can do today and who was a great support at the beginning of my mandate, Ray Sealey who was our executive director in the difficult but stimulating years of the construction and the Board of Directors, especially Harry Qualman. Thanks, also, to the office, maintenance and kitchen staff for their significant contribution to the success of the Centre.

I am very grateful to all our teachers, those wonderful professional musicians who by their generosity have become CAMMAC’s greatest donors.

And last but not least, I thank my mother and father, Madeleine and George Little who, with Frances and Carl Little, once had the great idea of starting CAMMAC!

Abeth

P.S.: I hope to see you at the Centre for Thanksgiving!