Orangeville & District Music Festival – History

ODMF Administration

• Director: Rob Hennig 1998 – 2002
• Registrar/Administrator: Lynne Smith 1998 – 2022

ODMF Committee 2002 to present 

• Lynne Smith 1998 – 2022
• Shirley Jemmett 2002 – 2022
• Joylyn Bell 2002 – current
• Jill McNicol 2002 – 2011
• Martin James 2008
• Mercedes Mabee 2008 – 2009
• Michelle Posteraro 2008 – 2013
• Susan Moritz 2010 – current
• Jane Lanktree 2013 – 2016
• Laura Curtis 2014 – current
• Nancy Dettbarn 2017 – current
• Helen Wattam 2018 – current
• Maureen Schoonbaert 2022 – current
• Mary Runciman 2022 – current

*1998

Director – Rob Hennig
Registrar – Lynne Smith Festival
Location: Westminster United Church, Orangeville
Piano Tuner: Lee Tocher of Tocher Pianos, Hillsburgh
Gala Concerts: May 9, 1998, at Orangeville Opera House & Westminster United Church
– proceeds of Gala Concerts donated to Westminster Church

Gala Participants:
Orangeville Interchurches Children’s Choir, Albany Tremblay, Ian Moor, Adrian Newcomb, Allison Price, Jane Lanktree, Stephanie Moore, Stephanie & Pamela Scott, Ben Darwin

*2002
Committee Members:
registrar – Lynne Smith; Shirley Jemmett, Joylyn Bell, Jill McNicol

*2006
Martin James, Minister of Music at Westminster U.C. and the Worship & Sacrament Action Group agreed to support the ODMF by providing space & administrative support

*2007
10th Anniversary celebration included a new annual award ‘The Most Promising Musician’, chosen by the adjudicator

*2010
Emily Newton & Callum Boland received certificates from Adjudicator, Debra Wanless to attend Summer Sizzle Camp

*2011
The first Jill McNicol Scholarship was presented

*2012
15th Anniversary celebration – commemorative music bag distributed
Reception following the Gala Concert
ODMF Alumni, Conrad Gold, performed at the Gala Concert (piano & organ) and spoke about his musical journey
Website www.odmf.ca was created with the support of Bill Elliott of Broadway Engraving

*2013
ODMF nominated for a Creative Cultural Event Award at the Mayor’s Breakfast for the Arts
Festival confirmed as a non-political/non-religious community organization

Official sponsors include:
Westminster United Church, InstaPlus Printing, Scotiabank

October 27th – The Power of Music ODMF Fundraising Music Concert
MC: Gary Vipond

Performers: Rhythmfoot (Chanda, Frank Leahy & family); Heather Katz; Jonathan Lane-Smith; Hannah Shelton Campbell, Heidi Allen & Stan Elliotson, accompanist Mary Runciman; Will Devonshire; Mark DuBois, Elisabeth DuBois & Graham Maycock; the Bells of Westminster; Candescence; Nathanael Pollard; Barbara Cooper & Linda MacGregor, Flute and Shirley Jemmett, Piano; Leisa Way & Bruce Ley
– proceeds to the Scholarship Fund

*2014
ODMF nominated for a Creative Cultural Event Award at the Mayor’s Breakfast for the Arts.

*2017
20th Anniversary included an Anniversary Scholarship presented to Jonathan Nguyen
Gala participants received roses
ODMF hosted workshops:
Paul Coates “Calming the Practice Monster”
Nancy Sicsic “The Other Instrument You Play” – The Alexander Technique.

*2018
New adjudication classes for school bands and choirs

*2019
Launch of new website (Sprout Advertising and Design)

*2022 & 2023
Lynne Smith, an original committee member, retires after 24 years of exemplary service
New committee formed
Yamaha C7 Grand Piano now used for festival
Online registration forms and payment introduced
Social media presence established

Past Adjudicators:

• 2024 – Anne Marie Page
• 2023 – Piano – Jennifer Smele; Instrumental/Vocal – Robert Kinnear
• 2022 – Amber Morphy
• 2019 – Piano, Vocals – Natasha Fransblow; Band – Ryan Grist
• 2018 – Melodie Hewer
• 2017 – Paul Coates
• 2016 – Piano – Donna Mak; Voice – Penelope Dale; Instrumental – Peter Dickson
• 2015 – Piano/Voice – Amber Morphy; Handbells – Joan Plume; Band – Peter Dickson
• 2014 – Piano – Susan Robinson; Voice – Rosa Antony
• 2013 – Ted Ellis
• 2012 – Tyler Seidenberg
• 2011 – Wayne Gilpin
• 2010 – Debra Wanless
• 2009 – Susan Carscadden-Mifsud
• 2008 – Scott White
• 2007 – Nancy Telfer
• 2006 – Martin James
• 2005 – Joyce Hutton
• 2004 – Jill Kelman
• 2003 – Nancy Telfer
• 2002 – Doreen Boss
• 2001 – Sofia Kraevska and Lydia Tyson
• 2000 – John Alonso
• 1999 – Kathryn Robertson & Ann-Marie MacDairmid
• 1998 – Piano – Catherine M. Palmer; Voice – Nicholas H. Morkel

Most Promising Musician Award Recipients:

• 2024 – Michael Kenedi – piano & cello
• 2023 – Olivia Jin – piano
• 2022 – Sissi Kenedi – piano, violin & flute
• 2019 – Benjamin Milone – piano & cello
• 2018 – Sonya Chernov – piano & accordion
• 2017 – Darcey Baker – voice
• 2016 – Keren Chernov – piano
• 2015 – Sarah Jane Mete – piano
• 2014 – Ashley Stewart – piano and Juliette Pomeroy – voice
• 2013 – Alexandra Brennan – voice
• 2012 – Nathanael Pollard – piano
• 2011 – Calum Boland – piano
• 2010 – Dani Austin – voice
• 2009 – Adam Rodrigues – piano
• 2008 – Mercedes Mabee – violin
• 2007 – Sharon Laing – piano