Sunday, 8 June 2025 4 – 5:30pm St Margaret of Scotland Church Hall (basement entrance on downhill side of church) 3751 Robie Street, Halifax
The bylaws of the Society state that an annual general meeting (AGM) shall be held within three months after every fiscal year-end, and that notice of the meeting is to be sent to the membership at least seven days prior to the meeting.
One of the more important items that will be presented at this year’s AGM will be a resolution from the board to divest the society of our harpsichord. A copy of the resolution is included in the notice that is being sent to members before the AGM.
Come learn about the Society’s activities over the past year, and participate in elections for the board. Our small board reflects the vitality of our early music community, and values new ideas, fresh energy and diverse perspectives. Consider becoming a board member, as there is always room for new voices.
This year, for something different, there will be door prizes! One of the prizes will be the services of long-time member Jay Perry, who will sharpen half a dozen kitchen knives. Jay, in addition to his early music activities, is a sharpening instructor at Lee Valley Tools, so your knives will be in good hands! Two bottles of wine will be among the other prizes.
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Letter to members of the Early Music Society of Nova Scotia regarding the EMSNS harpsichord:
ISSUES – Does the EMSNS harpsichord add value to EMSNS activities? Is the harpsichord fit for purpose? And should the Society continue to own infrastructure like the harpsichord?
– The EMSNS Board has debated these issues periodically since 2023, and is now prepared to put the question to the membership through a resolution at the June 8, 2025 annual general meeting.
BACKGROUND – An interim report of the board to the June 4, 2023 annual general meeting noted that “there is some dissatisfaction with how the harpsichord is currently working for the EMSNS” and that “The Board is currently looking at several options, ranging from repair to disposal through donation or sale, and possible replacement.” – At the June 4, 2023 AGM, members were able to comment on the interim report. – The incoming executive (as of the 2023 AGM) continued to discuss the issues raised, with the intention of presenting its conclusions to the members at a later date. – Borys Medicky is a harpsichordist, harpsichord technician and harpsichord maker, based in Kitchener, Ontario. He was in Halifax September 17-20, 2024, working on Dalhousie instruments and led a harpsichord maintenance workshop for EMSNS. – Borys Medicky also examined the EMSNS harpsichord and made a formal evaluation of it. He reported a number of issues, and estimated the costs of remediation to be between $2000 and $3000. The cost of repairs made this a less desirable option. The Board is currently looking at several options, ranging from repair to disposal through donation or sale, and possible replacement. – Based largely on Borys Medicky’s evaluation, the EMSNS Board, in its meeting of October 23, 2024, agreed to divest ourselves of the harpsichord, and to present this as a resolution to the membership.
RECOMMENDATION – The Board recommends that the members present at the June 8, AGM approve the following resolution:- – BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Music Society of Nova Scotia divest itself of the Huw Saunders harpsichord, with the Board deciding on next steps, which could include disposal, donation or sale.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
– Report to EMSNS members about the EMSNS harpsichord (for discussion, June 4, 2023)
– Evaluation, by Borys Medicky, September 20, 2024
If you’d like to have a copy of these supporting documents, please email your request to Harold Rennie at rennie.ns@gmail.com
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Come one, come all!
We have door prizes this year!
