Biographies

Peter Stigings, Conductor/Music Director

Peter Stigings Little Night Music Orchestra has been fortunate to have Peter Stigings as its Conductor and Music Director since September 2002. Peter has been involved in music and the arts for 40 years, and has served as conductor, adjudicator, evaluator and clinician throughout Canada, the United States and Hong Kong. He has directed bands, choirs, orchestras, jazz bands and is known as a master teacher. His bands and ensembles have participated in numerous regional, provincial, national and international festivals and events, and have tourned extensively throughout Canada as well as the United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, England, Hong Kong, Macau and Japan.

Peter has served on a number of boards, including the British Columbia Music Educators' Association, Canadian Music Educators' Association, Vancouver Kiwanis Jazz Festival, Canadian Stage Band National Festival, Rocky Mountain National Festival, Pacific Music Fraser MacPherson Trust Fund, and the International Association of Jazz Educators. In 1990 the British Columbia Music Educators' Association awarded Peter an Honourary Life Membership in recognition of his years of service to music education. In June 1999 he received the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

Peter retired as Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Director of Bands at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver in 1999. He is presently on the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia as a sessional lecturer and faculty advisor. In February 2002 he co-chaired the BC Music Educators annual provincial conference.

The members of A Little Night Music are challenged and inspired by Peter's enthusiasm, dedication and ability to convey musical concepts succinctly, and are excited to be playing under Peter's baton.

Jerry Wennes, Conductor Emeritus

Jerry Wennes After many years of service to ALNM, Jerry Wennes, was appointed Conductor Emeritus in March 2008. The orchestra is extremely grateful to Jerry for the instruments, music, leadership, and support he has provided to the orchestra over the years. Numerous players have joined ALNM because Jerry took the time and interest to encourage them to join. Over the years, Jerry has been involved he as a trombone player, a member of the planning committee for setting up the Little Night Music Orchestra as a registered society, assistant conductor, and long time friend of the Orchestra. Without a doubt, the Orchestra would not be where it is today if it was not for Jerry Wennes. Many thanks Jerry!br>
Derek MacDermot, Founder

Derek MacDermot Derek MacDermot Derek MacDermot was the heart and soul of A Little Night Music for 30 years.

After his first career as a professional singer (interrupted by service in the Canadian Air Force during the Second World War), Derek taught music in the public school systems in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island until his retirement as a schoolteacher. Besides conducting his own school bands, he conducted musicals in Victoria and had a community orchestra in Saanich. When Derek returned to Vancouver in 1970 after obtaining a Master's Degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin, he recognized the need for a community orchestra in Vancouver and began discussions with the Vancouver School Board to establish an orchestra as part of the VSB's night school curriculum. Soon afterwards, A Little Night Music was born, and the rest is history.

The Orchestra has fond memories of Derek's 30 years on the podium. He made a personal connection with each member, and through his encouragement and gentle humour he brought out the best in each player's abilities (once prompting an audience member at a Robson Square summer concert to identify A Little Night Music as the VSO). Derek's love of music and devotion to the Orchestra were contagious, and audiences often commented on the obvious enthusiasm of the musicians.

On Derek's retirement in June 2002, he was appointed Conductor Emeritus of A Little Night Music Orchestra. Sadly, Derek passed away suddenly on December 4th, 2003. Our condolences to his family, including his partner, Joy McKim, former ALNM pianist.