Musicians et al

My husband was a drummer . For all the years of our lives together and beyond, he played gigs on Friday and Saturday nights. He helped provide music and sound effects to various productions of the Aurora Theatre and Christmas pantomimes at the Newmarket Theatre.

He wasn't a member of the musician's union. Like many of the incredibly talented people who perform in drama groups and small bands and provide entertainment as good as any in the industry , it is accepted among them , there is just not enough work for everyone to make a living doing what they love to do more than anything else in their lives.

So they go to work every day, at nine to five jobs and pay the mortgage, provide for their families and come to life for a few hours at the week-end to dazzle us with their magic and sustain their own souls in artistry.

If one among them breaks out and makes it, they all share the pride.

I have encouraged children and grand-children to aspire to make a living with whatever gifts they've received.It seems to me doing what you love to do is not work; it's vocation.There can't be a better way of making a living that by doing what you love and are blessed with the talent.

I know something of what it takes to mount a production of music or theatre; arrangements, plays, rehearsals, costumes, sets, maintenance, management, promotion and precious time.

A Disc .Jockey can make the difference between a memorable occasion or a lack-lustre event.

When Concerts in the Park started in Aurora, many years ago, the Toronto Musicians Union was responsible. A courtesy program was provided.

It was probably an idea for creating employment.

If it was, it worked.

A series of concerts in Aurora and elsewhere have been a regular feature of summer for years now.

Town staff are successful in obtaining sponsorships from local business to provide funding.

At this point, I don't know if the Musicians Union still has a hand in the programming.I've never thought to ask.

I do know the concerts are well received. The town park is thronged on a Wednesday evening.

There was never a reason to believe a Jazz Festival would not receive the same enthusiastic response.

Under different circumstances.