Ottawa (November 2, 2007) — The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn Hodgins as Executive Director of the OCMS. Colin Cooke, President and Chair of the OCMS Board of Directors, made the announcement today at the Canadian Arts Presenters (CAPACOA) conference in Ottawa.

"Glenn has the vision, passion and expertise to take the Society and its International Chamber Music Festival to new heights," said Mr. Cooke. "The Board of Directors is delighted that Glenn, an innovative leader with an excellent track record, will join the Society." Mr. Hodgins will take up his duties on December 10, 2007.

Mr. Hodgins, well known in the music community, comes to the OCMS from the Ontario Arts Council. During the past seven years, he has managed many programs and initiatives at the Council. Among them the design, launch and management of the multi-discipline Touring and Collaborations Program and management of the Compass Program, a capacity-building program for arts organizations.

From 1988 to 2000, Mr. Hodgins worked with the world renowned Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir in Toronto. During his tenure, he was responsible for artistic administration, recording projects, and managing tours, volunteers, and contracts. From 1996 to 2000, he was Director of Operations, Touring and Finance and was responsible for the orchestra's entire budget and investment portfolio.

A graduate of the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music in piano performance, Mr. Hodgins is an accomplished pianist who performs with chamber musicians. He was on the selection jury for Classical Album of the Year for Canada's Juno Awards in 2003 and 2005.

Along with Glenn Hodgins' appointment as Executive Director, the OCMS also announced that the members of the Gryphon Trio, cellist Roman Borys, violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon and pianist Jamie Parker, will be the Artistic Programming Directors and Artists-in-Residence for the 15th Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival in 2008. The Gryphon Trio has been building a rapport with Ottawa audiences since the early days of the festival. Board Chair Colin Cooke said today in making the announcement, "The Gryphon Trio is a perfect fit, given its long association and collaboration with the Festival. It is one of the favourite and best attended groups at our festival. Together our new executive director, Glenn Hodgins and the Gryphon Trio will take us into an exciting new phase."

The Gryphon Trio formed in 1993 and is regarded as "one of the best ensembles of its kind in the world", said the Globe and Mail. It has won numerous awards including a Juno and the Canadian Independent Music Award. Gryphon has toured extensively, recorded ten CDs, commissioned over fifty works, produced Christos Hatzis' multi-media work Constantinople, and initiated numerous audience development and student education initiatives. As Toronto Star music critic John Terauds put it, "The Gryphon Trio should rename itself the Midas, as every piece of music they touch turns to gold."

Said Colin Cooke, "The OCMS is proud to have a sparkling team this year that combines star power with excellence."

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Biographies:

• Glenn Hodgins
• Gryphon Trio

Karen St. Aubin
Media Liaison, OCMS
613-234-8008 Ext. 244
613-299-0929 (cell.)
events@chamberfest.com