“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”
Bill Pettypiece
Like most kids of my era I took piano lessons during my grade school years. When I started high school I stopped the piano lessons and started on the trumpet. By grade 10 I was hooked on band. I purchased my current horn in 1969. My high school years were filled with concert band and jazz band. In grade 12 | auditioned for the International Youth Symphony (Windsor/Detroit) and spent two years with that organization. During my college years I played with the Windsor Symphony. My last season with them was 1973. Upon graduation we packed up our gear, moved to Woodstock, and started our family and my career. My trumpet spent the next 49 years in the dark. The formation and the mandate of the Bluewater Wind Ensemble persuaded me it was time to dust off the horn and see if there was anything there. Five months of work lead me back to the stage for my first concert in 49 years. It's never too late to start again!
Carole Mitro
My musical journey began early in life, being blessed by my parents with RCM accordion lessons from age 4 – 12. The flute became my passion in high school, studying with Bob Crouch and Willy Timmermans, and I dabbled with the piccolo at the same time. The Sarnia Citizen’s Band gave me additional performance opportunities in high school, under the direction of Art Christmas, which transitioned into the Bluewater Symphonic Band for the decade from 1980 – 1989. For the next ten years while there was no community concert band, I kept active by playing in small ensembles and wedding services. I also went back to studying piano with Connie Kennedy and achieved my RCM Level 8 on the piano. I joined the start-up of the Lambton Concert Band in 2000 on flute, added piccolo more recently, and played for 22 years with the ensemble. I currently play flute and piccolo in the Bluewater Wind Ensemble, as well as flute, piccolo, and keyboards in pit bands for local theatre productions and other small ensembles in the community. I am retired from a career in Public Health, and now teach music lessons part-time at VanGoozen Music in Sarnia. I am one of the founding Executive Members of the Bluewater Wind Ensemble, and sincerely appreciate all the support that the Sarnia-Lambton community has shown for community music over the years.
Roger Archambault
I was first introduced to the clarinet in high school, after all the cool instruments were taken. After high school I dropped it for the guitar, which I've been playing ever since. I was re-introduced to the clarinet several years ago during my time volunteering in the Air Cadets music program. Since then I've played in local concert bands such as Phoenix Concert Band, Lambton Concert Band, and currently the Bluewater Wind Ensemble.
Chris McCloskey
Thrilled to contribute to the Sarnia music community through BWE, HT Nightingale, HT Glee, Theatre Sarnia, Bluewater Chamber Choir, and St. Giles Presbyterian Church. Always excited to undertake a new musical challenge, and motivated by my fellow musicians. In my spare time when not at rehearsals I am the Engineering Manager at ARLANXEO.
Gerry Felsky
After hating piano lessons at age 6, I didn't take up an instrument again until almost 40. I started on the tenor sax with help from Alison McLaughlin (New Horizons Band) and lessons from Geoff Gander. After switching to baritone sax and receiving lessons from Al Weiss, I played with the Forest Excelsior Band (under Dan Dumais) for many years. I joined the Lambton Concert Band soon after its inception in 2000 (under Chris Coyle, Dave Parkes and later Blake Stevenson) and continue to play currently under Tessa Catton. I am excited to have joined the Bluewater Wind Ensemble under the direction of Charles Dalmas.
Gwen Williamson
I started taking piano lessons at 7 and loved playing (I would drive my family crazy with Disney songs, Christmas music, and my mother’s old piano books). I completed my grade 8 RCM in high school, where I also joined the concert and jazz bands on clarinet. I was a church pianist for 8 years. And for a short time played the clarinet in the Guelph Concert Band and a small jazz ensemble. Now I play with the Lambton Concert Band, Goderich Laketown Band, and here in the Bluewater Wind Ensemble.
Tristan Janveaux
Dave Orr
Coming from a piano background i took lessons as a child which helped me a lot reading music,,did nothing for counting but that's another story,in my teens i was with a marching band in London for 2 years, in high school i played the trombone , moving to Sarnia in the 70's to start my life in the Auto Business, I purchased a Trombone at a pawn shop thinking i would play, but sadly did'nt until my kids were in high school and played the trombone cus Dad had one at home and was the only subject I could help them in. I did not actively start playing and practicing until about 8 years ago,now playing in various ensembles and this community band
Vicky Coolledge
I’m what you call a late-blooming Hornist. I played the French horn in high school and lost touch with the instrument after that. I started back at it again about 18 years ago after my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She always loved to come hear me play, and I wanted to rekindle that joy for her. After her passing, I kept it up, playing in the Lambton Concert band, a local brass quintet, and now in the Bluewater Wind ensemble. I also play in the Orlando Concert band and the Horn club of Central Florida while snowbirding in Orlando, now that I’m retired from teaching. Thanks Mom, for inspiring me back into an amazing musical passion!
Dave Parkes
I believe in furthering the full spirit of amateur music making - making music for the love of music - through my work a public secondary school Music teacher, conductor and musician with several community ensembles. I am happy to be a part of a fine group of musicians working in the challenging wind ensemble genre where there are no more than one player to a part.
Jamie Forsythe
I started playing tuba early on in high school at the urging of my music teacher, Mr. Robert Cleall. As it turned out it was a fast track to becoming part of the senior band and all the trips and festivals that were so much fun. After high school the tuba became a thing of the past, until I settled in Sarnia (20 years later) and had the opportunity to once again, thanks to Geoff Gander, pick up the instrument and journey on. My next stop was the New Horizons band under the leadership of Allison McLaughlin followed by the Lambton Concert Band and presently the Bluewater Wind Ensemble. I do have to give a shout out to Peter Sambell who sold me his fathers tuba(with permission) and is still supporting and encouraging me in so many ways on this journey.
Richard Lloyd
After playing in many orchestras including Orchestra Toronto (40 years ) that’s when I discovered what a powerful life force music is and should be celebrated.
Norm Sutherland
I began at age 10 (1943) with one month of piano lessons. Next was 2 years on the upright E flat Alto horn, followed by the trombone. At age 15 I added the euphonium and tuba to my repertoire. My mentors included Percie Cox, Jay Castello (classical), Rob Stone (jazz), Dr. Henry Meredith, Art Christmas, Curtis Metcalf, and Dr. Howard Cable. I have played in 6 concert bands, 3 stage bands, 2 symphony orchestras, 1 football marching band, and 2 ensembles (Total: 14). Competitions for both solos and with concert bands have included the Lambton County Music Festival, the Waterloo Music Festival and the Canadian National Exhibition. (CNE). My newest addition is the Bluewater Wind Ensemble.
Mike Carver
I started learning percussion in high school when a close friend introduced me, and I was instantly hooked. I later studied at the University of Western Ontario and received an Honors bachelor's degree in Performance orchestra. Music is my full-time passion as I teach guitar, ukulele, drums, and percussion privately at my studio. I have performed in various orchestras, most notably the International Symphony Orchestra, Stratford Orchestra, and the London Youth Symphony, and I also enjoy performing in Celtic, Rock, and Jazz bands. I am happy and excited to play with the Blue Water Wind Ensemble and perform with such a fun and great group!