orchestre philharmonia mundi de montréal holds benefit concert

I love not-for-profits, where folks are bound by a common interest, complementary skills, and an itch to make the world a better place.

The Orchestre Philharmonia Mundi de Montréal, incorporated a year ago - a whirling dervish of energy, talent and good intentions - is a great example.

By day, 50 dedicated musicians, ranging in age from 20 to 81, work as hair stylists, doctors, lawyers, students and chefs.

They share their passion for classical music at weekly rehearsals, and perform winter and spring symphony concerts under the direction of Jean-Pascal Hamelin - who also serves as principal conductor of Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de Sherbrooke, and is a co-founder and artistic director of the recording label PALEXA.

This Saturday, Aug 29, OPMM is holding a summer benefit concert at The Playhouse, in Mile End.

“All members pay fees in order to participate in the orchestra, but this is not enough to pay for our conductor, our practice space, or our sheet music,” says violinist Andrea Feder, a twenty-something producer within Montreal’s indy film scene.

“An orchestra is not cheap to keep up. All the work is done by a volunteer committee, but there are still hard costs to manage, and dreams of buying our own percussion equipment.”

This weekend’s concert is an addition to the orchestra’s regular program. It’s also a way to experience the talented group on more intimate terms.

Small ensembles will play chamber music, including violin solos and wind quintets - as well as Scottish traditional music, Tango (a contribution from the orchestra’s Argentinean players), and even an excerpt from Fiddler on the Roof.

“It’s our way of keeping in shape for the season to come,” says Feder.

And about making the world a better place?

Aside from the benefits of beautiful music, the group subscribes to the “one person at a time” theory. Among the musicians is an oncologist who uses the orchestra as therapy for a stressful job; a retired ballet dancer, who took up the violin later in life; a school teacher who recently arrived in Canada to live with her mother; an engineer who moved to Montreal to work on the Olympic stadium and decided to stay.

And one more note: The Playhouse is known for booking bands before anyone has heard of them. Support the orchestra now, and you’ll not only be part of the In crowd - years from now, you can say you knew them when…

Have you seen OPMM perform?  Do you know someone in the orchestra?  Let us know what you think!

If you go: OPMM at The Playhouse, 5656 ave du Parc, Saturday, August 29, 2009, 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Tickets are $8.