A Little Night Music Orchestra was founded by Derek MacDermot in 1972, beginning as a Vancouver School Board night school course (hence its name “A Little Night Music”). In the initial 20-session term there were 11 participants, with Derek playing the piano as well as conducting. The program was so popular that it attracted 45 musicians the following term. Derek MacDermot’s vision for A Little Night Music was that it be an orchestra “for all comers”: there would be no auditions, players of all ages and abilities would be welcome, and it wouldn’t matter if there were three flutes and seven trombones. He envisioned A Little Night Music as a place where there would be “no hard words and no pressure”. The main goals of A Little Night Music were to be fun, improvement and playing for others in the community. The Orchestra has performed at various locations throughout Vancouver and has never charged for a concert.

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ALNM rehearsals once a week at Magee Secondary School at 49th and Maple St., Vancouver, BC. ALNM participates in three public concerts each year, in coordination with Magee’s music students. Concerts are free to the public. ALNM is administered by volunteer members who serve on the Board of Directors, the Publicity Committee, and the Music Library Committee. As a non-profit society, ALNM is able to issue tax receipts for donations toward Music Education in Schools.

Copyright credit to A Little Night Music Orchestra
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