President’s MessageMAY 2005

Welcome to the 2005 edition of the GCVI Gazette.  The high point of this year was of course the “Gathering of the Gaels 2004”.  Thanks to the tremendous efforts of, the Alumni Association, the School Board, the teachers and staff at ‘GC, Parent Council,  the City of Guelph and local sponsors, it turned out to be a huge success.  All of the events were well attended with the highlight(s) of the weekend being  the Friday night “wine and cheese” party at the West End Community Centre and the performances of Fred Mills and Adrian Kramer at  Saturday’s assembly at the school.  If you didn’t get cheese at the “wine and cheese” it was because we sold 750 advance tickets and 1250 people showed up!  Over $20,000 was raised through donations and proceeds from the events which were donated to: the retro yearbook, Principal portraits, athletic banner and trophy restoration, fitness centre equipment, grand piano restoration, and  the scholarship fund.  We still have copies of “Reflections” that can be purchased.  P lease contact us at the address provided in this newsletter.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for continuing to support us by attending our events,  sending us comments and suggestions, and sending your tax deductible donations to fund our projects at the school.  Finally, I would like to congratulate the 2004 150th Anniversary Committee for their outstanding efforts in support of the “Gathering of the Gaels 2004”.   This event would not have happened without you.

Bob Hohenadel, Class of ‘74 

Principal’s Message - Judy Sorbara Reflects on the 150th Reunion 

The enormous success of the 150th Reunion of The Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute was evident by the smiles on everyone’s faces - both before and after this memorable event. The entire school community was excited and  involved. Our Student Senate kept the student body informed of the upcoming events and worked hard to become included. Many of our current students and staff happily invested time and energy into the preparations and the behind the scenes work. The Upper Grand District School Board Facility Services Department made sure that our building looked its best ever. And of course, the fabulous Alumni pulled it all together and made the reunion the talk of the town.

Personally, I know that this reunion will bring back good memories to me for years to come. I met many generations of alumni who all had amazing stories to tell about their days at The Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute. It gratifies me to know that the enormous sense of pride felt by the alumni still exists with the students of today. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the 150th Reunion and congratulate you for running such a successful and unforgettable event.

FRED MILLS » 1935 -

The former Canadian Brass trumpeter, Fred Mills, was born in Guelph in 1935 and graduated from GCVI in 1953. During his years here, this talented musician received many Kiwanis music festival awards in Guelph, Toronto, London and Owen Sound. Fred’s brother, J.R. Mills, a pianist, was a strong influence on Fred’s early development as a musician. His parents supported his pursuit of a musical career, and in his sophomore year at GCVI, he made a serious commitment to study music rather than architecture. This began his career as a musician.

After attending the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, Fred was engaged by maestro Leopold Stokowski as principal trumpet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra in Texas from 1958-1962. For the next six years, he was the principal trumpet with the New York City Opera and an active New York freelance musician, performing in everything from Broadway shows to jingles, recordings with Stravinsky to jazz ballets. In 1969, he returned to Canada and took part in the inaugural years of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He joined the Canadian Brass in 1972, the only brass quintet in Canada. This began his 24-year career with the popular ensemble, combining musicianship with humour. Together, they played over 3500 concerts all around the world and made over 40 recordings. In addition to playing, Fred contributed more than 50 arrangements and transcriptions to the repertoire. He is currently Professor of Trumpet and Brass Chamber Music at the University of Georgia and is still enjoying his musical career. Fred Mills has won the respect and awe of all the people who have heard him play. He has travelled the world, performing in all the major concert halls of Europe, the Far East and South and North America. Fred Mills has accomplished much in communicating his art as a performer and teacher and has never regretted his decision to follow his dreams.

Jennifer Lee

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