Aspire, Inspire, Support

Mission
The Oakville Chamber Orchestra has been presenting concerts in Oakville, Ontario, for 24 years. Our Mission is to enrich the musical culture of the community by creating a passion for our live chamber music concerts, while developing local amateur musicians of all ages and promoting Canadian soloists.

History
2007/08 marks the 24th anniversary of the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, originally known as the Oakville Chamber Ensemble. Founded in 1984 as a group of amateur string players, this musical group has steadily grown in size, aspirations and quality into its current form.

The core of the orchestra is that of string players augmented by the addition of wind, brass and percussion players, allowing for the presentation of a large musical repertoire by masters of all periods. While the number of musicians changes according to the needs of the music performed, the basic raison d'être remains: amateur musicians presenting the music they love in the smaller, more intimate chamber setting.

In 1996, the orchestra made some important decisions which significantly changed the direction of the organization. Charles Demuynck was hired as music director /conductor. It was under his leadership that gifted Canadian soloists began to perform with the orchestra. The musical repertoire expanded greatly, joint concerts with other Oakville music groups such as the Oakville Children's Choir were organized, and venues in the community increased significantly. Support for all of this progress has come from a volunteer board of directors first set up in 1997 under its President, Chuck Havill, who has been ardently involved in the Oakville arts scene for many years. Other members of the Board have donated their many business, organizational, financial, creative and musical talents to the behind-the-scenes running of the orchestra. In 2005, Charlotte Meissner succeeded Chuck Havill as president.

Charles Demuynck left the OCO to follow a career opportunity and his place was taken by Maestro Stéphane Potvin. Maestro Potvin brought with him a wealth of experience, a passion for chamber music and an enthusiasm appreciated by both the musicians and the audience.

Now with the new season underway, Maestro Charles Demuynck is back as Music Director /Conductor and with the growth the orchestra is experiencing, it has lost its reputation as "Oakville's best kept musical secret"!