What is a community orchestra
We are a full symphony orchestra playing a mainly classical repertoire under our professional conductor.
We rehearse on Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 in the Begg Room.
We perform at the Brock House Summer Fair and at Seniors Homes. If you play an orchestral instrument, particularly brass or woodwind, please join us. There is a modest fee to cover the conductor's honorarium.
An amateur orchestra with a past and future
More than 40 years ago Elva Fitzpatrick, an educator with a passion for music, founded music programs at Brock House. All the groups she formed are still active and functioning today at Brock House. Her son, Don Fitzpatrick, and former student, Barbara Paterson, continue to be members of the orchestra.
Past Conductors
We have had the good fortune to be conducted by many successful conductors, for example:
Ernie Fiedler (Passed Away in August 2024), Jeffrey Tseng (Vancouver Sinfonietta), Jaelem Bhate (PEI), Monica Chen (Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra), Josh Rauw (Surrey Schools District, and Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble), and Cheng Xin Ip (UBC).
Ernie Fiedler joined the Brock House Orchestra in 1998. Ernie took over when things were in a bit of disarray. He was able to sort everything out and the orchestra gradually became established as a small chamber orchestra. He broadened the repertoire to include both classical works and selections from musicals. He took the group “on the road” to seniors’ residences and community centres, even going as far as Richmond and New Westminster!
Jaelem Bhate, our 2021 to 2022 conductor, holds the position of the PEI Symphony Orchestra Music Director. Cheng Xin Ip, our 2023 to 2025 conductor and UBC sessional lecturer, has recently been appointed Director of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at UBC. They are both going places!
News
Congratulations to our newly appointed conductor Sam Ivory.
Congratulations are also due to the whole orchestra for performing challenging repertoire in our highly enjoyable and successful 2025 season.
Our Conductor Concertmeister
Concerts Members only
