A Mother's Inspiration

She had incredible energy in the mornings and it often amazed me as I was eating my breakfast how quickly I was thrust into the new day with her stories. She was involved in many community organizations as a volunteer and it was her profession, along with being a Mom of 5 kids.  She loved to sing and when I was young (before her fateful vocal cord operation) she sang in choirs and with my Dad at the piano, as a soloist all over the area.  She could sight read at the piano incredibly well and was always inspiring us at family gatherings to pick up our instruments (violin, cello, saxaphone, flute, clarinet and guitar) and play together.  Unfortunately, she was taken before Westben was created but she was with us during the sprouting of its seedlings.  She welcomed us home from our musical studies and performing career in Europe and the birth of our first child and my first performances with the Canadian Opera Company.  Her zest for life and bringing people together through music continues to be a big inspiration for Westben. Westben continues to be a place where friends gather and people meet and become friends.  Not only volunteers, chorus and band members,  but Members who book their same seats every year and get to know their neighbours in music.  Nature continues to be a huge part of the Westben Experience, nurturing the joy of the music and bringing us to the core of art, a better place.  So next time you see a butterfly whisk through The Barn during a performance, say hi to my Mom as her inspiration is soaring by.