National Arts Centre Orchestra Players Association/News Release

 

The musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra present their ever-popular free annual Christmas FanFair Concert and Carol Sing-Along in support of the Snowsuit Fund and the Food Bank in the main foyer of the National Arts Centre at 12 noon on Sunday December 12. This year, the orchestra musicians are delighted to welcome Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson as guest conductor. Come early -- at 10:30 a.m. -- for the famous annual bake sale of home-baked seasonal specialties made by the Friends of the NAC Orchestra. There is free NAC parking – for the Christmas FanFair audience only -- until 2 p.m.

Light lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase in the foyer.

Hosted by Peter Tilley (Executive Director of the Ottawa Food Bank) and Krista Kealey (past Chair of the Snowsuit Fund), this free one-hour concert will feature the musicians of the NAC Orchestra conducted by David Thies-Thompson, the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir (prepared by music director Kevin Reeves), 2010 NACO Bursary winner, violist Emilie Grimes, and the KidSingers from the Ottawa OrKidstra program. There will also be, as usual, a few surprises along the way.

Of course, the concert will include the famous FANFAIR CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. Santa Claus himself will be in attendance, so bring the whole family!

Christmas FanFair organizer and NACO assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier says, "For many of us in the orchestra, playing the Fanfair concert has become the highlight of our holiday season. The kind and generous spirit shown by everyone, the kids, the singing, the music and the surprises just make the whole day exceptional. It saddens me that fundraisers such as this one are still needed in a beautiful city like Ottawa, but this is the best way to give: concretely, of course, by giving money and time, but more importantly, giving with our hearts and caring for one another."

Begun in 1989, this is now the third decade for the Christmas FanFair benefit produced by the musicians of the NAC Orchestra to benefit the Snowsuit Fund and the Food Bank. The Snowsuit Fund is an Ottawa-based charity that has been raising funds for the purchase and distribution of snowsuits to needy children aged 15 years and under for more than 26 years. The demand for their services continues to grow; in 2009-2010, the Snowsuit Fund distributed over 15,000 new snowsuits. The Ottawa Food Bank provides 43,000 people each month with emergency food assistance, 40% of whom are children. The Ottawa Food Bank supports more than 135 food programs throughout the National Capital Region, distributing 12 tons of food every working day; $1 donated to the Ottawa Food Bank generates $5 worth of food into the community.