Music Peterborough

I have been approached to assist with revisiting and reviving Music Peterborough – an organization that will both promote the incredible talent in our music scene and take on an advocacy role for the people who work within it.

I urge all of you to “like” the page and join in the process of shining the spotlight on our great scene.

Having been invited to advise on the first steps of organizational development, I have agreed to a 9-month post as interim Board Chair that will help see a new board through the fledgling steps of outreach/consultation, recruitment/succession, stakeholder outreach, incorporation, charitable status, and strategic planning.

The first steps will include taking inventory of the hard work put in by previous committee members/organizers. I thank everyone who has been involved for their energy and passion for music in Peterborough.

While my career has seen me working with stakeholder organizations such as the City of Peterborough, Economic Development Peterborough, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism, the DBIA, the Chamber, arts/culture/music orgs, etc. – and with many non-profit organizations (as clients, as staff, and as director/chair of boards/committees) – I think that leadership for Music Peterborough will ultimately come from the musicians, venue owners, event planners that work in our scene on a daily basis and whose careers are more closely tied to it.

For this reason, I definitely see myself as more as a facilitator for what will come next.

Also for this reason, I’m excited to be working with some people who represent some of the diversity of our scene:

•   Mary-Kate Edwards: singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who recently released her debut EP Blueberry Pie
•   Melissa Payne: singer/songwriter/guitarist/fiddler
•   Al Black: Juno-nominated drummer, harmonica player, vocalist, and songwriter
•   Diane Therrien: City Councillor (Downtown ward), who will bring a strong background of community engagement/organizational development to these early proceedings.

I don’t think that the community should expect too much from Music Peterborough in the next few months – at least not in the way of programming. In order for the organization to succeed, patient steps must be taken in the areas of outreach, consultation, and organizational development. I am hoping that these foundational steps will lead to future success – and for an inclusive process.

We will be announcing a date for public consultation in the coming weeks. And we hope to see many, many interested parties participating in that.

Cheers to music in Peterborough!