Now entering its second year of existence, the North Okanagan Valley Orchestra (NOVO) is continuing to attract new members while getting ready to show off its talents for a second time next month.
NOVO's second concert is coming up on Dec. 8 at Trinity United Church in Vernon. Called Sleigh Ride: a Classical Christmas Celebration, the concert will feature music by Delius, Bizet, Mozart and more. The concert will feature special guests Oko Baroquo string ensemble and the Vernon Silverwinds flute ensemble. Tickets are available at the door and are by donation. The doors open at 2 p.m., with the concert starting at 2:30 p.m.
Annette Toop, semi-retired science teacher at Enderby's A.L. Fortune Secondary, has been playing the viola for the last 12 years. She used to drive to Kamloops to play with the now disbanded Night Owl Orchestra and still drives there to play with other Kamloops orchestras.
"But I wanted something closer to home, too," said Toop.
Because there were no orchestras closer to home, Toop helped bring NOVO into existence.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Toop met with Vernon Community Music School teacher Carole Ruth and local conductor Terry Pitt-Brooke and discussed the possibility of starting an amateur orchestra in Vernon. Plans came to a halt during COVID but were revived in 2022, which is around the time flute player Donna Nolan became interested in the plans.
What was originally planned to be a string orchestra became a full orchestra, and Nolan was instrumental in getting the orchestra where it is today. Ruth has assumed the role of NOVO's concert master while Pitt-Brooke is music director and conductor.
The orchestra started rehearsing in the fall of 2023 and held its first concert this past May. On top of the occasional concert, NOVO is looking to bring its music into care homes to bring the joy of music to senior residents.
The Christmas concert on Dec. 8 will feature many old classics, but also something brand new.
"One of our violinists has actually composed a piece that we're going to play," said Toop.
People don't need to be music professionals to join the orchestra, and there are plenty of benefits to joining.
"It's lots of fun. It's great for your mind, it's great for flexibility, it's great to meet friends — I've got so many new friends," Toop said.
NOVO rehearses every other Thursday at the Vernon Community Music School, and it's always looking for more members. To learn more or to join, contact the orchestra at novo23bc@gmail.com.
