Honorary Members

Chantal Isabelle

Ms. Chantal Isabelle served as Executive Director of the Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec (FHOSQ) from 1988 to 2018. Her arrival marked the beginning of the Federation’s transition toward a more professional organization. In fact, Ms. Isabelle may be considered the FHOSQ’s first official employee. She made it her mission to establish the Federation as a leading organization in the development of ensemble music in Quebec. Her many accomplishments within the organization helped make our Federation the reference in ensemble music across Quebec.

Montreal, 2022  - Full text

Alain Cazes

We wish to highlight the involvement of Mr. Alain Cazes with numerous musicians and educators. He has actively contributed to the FHOSQ as an instructor, enabling aspiring conductors to improve their conducting techniques. He also participated in the creation and development of educational video capsules on conducting, available on the FHOSQ website.

Montreal, 2022 - Full text

Francine Lafond and Réal Deschênes

With great admiration and enthusiasm, the Federation and the circle of honorary members wish to recognize the achievements of an exceptional team and couple of educators: Mr. Réal Deschênes and Ms. Francine Lafond.

Saint-Léonard-d'Aston, 2016 - Full text

Pierrette Valois

As the wife of Gilles Valois, a former president and active member of the Federation’s Board of Directors for 37 years, we benefited throughout those years from her presence, availability, and great generosity. Pierrette carried out the secretarial duties for various competitions and festivals with exceptional diligence. For thirty-seven years, she demonstrated unwavering dedication to all musicians. Present at all FHOSQ activities, she was responsible for welcoming guests and board members, a role she fulfilled with discretion and remarkable kindness.

Sorel, 2016

Luc Mathieu

Founder of the Harmonie Harricana d’Amos in 1986, he participated continuously in the Festival des Harmonies du Québec for 28 years. As the initiator of several musical activities in Abitibi, he contributed to promoting instrumental music and making it accessible to people in his region. Recipient of the Thérèse Pagé Award in 2012 and the Silver Medal of the Fédération des Commissions scolaires du Québec in 2013, Luc Mathieu was throughout his career an ambassador for the FHOSQ and its activities.

Amos, 2014

Marc Deschamps

After performing as a French horn player with the Orchestre des Jeunes du Québec and the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, Marc Deschamps accepted responsibility in 1976 for the Music Department and the musical direction of the Orchestre à Vent du Collège Notre-Dame, a position he held until 2019. He subsequently established the Collège Notre-Dame School of Music, which, with the support of a large faculty, quintupled the number of student musicians.

A recipient of numerous awards at various editions of FHOSQ festivals and competitions, Marc Deschamps has always been an exceptional collaborator and a highly loyal participant in FHOSQ activities. He served on the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2020, first as a director and later as Vice-President. He also received the FHOSQ Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 2019.

Montreal, 2014

Josée Crête

Josée Crête served as coordinator of the music department at École Le Boisé in Victoriaville, in addition to being the musical director of Vicas Inspiration Concert Band from its inception until her retirement in 2019. Since then, she has worked as a trainer and coach at the Faculty of Music of Université Laval.

Elected to the FHOSQ Board of Directors in 1991, she was responsible for numerous files and initiatives. She served as President from 2001 to 2013, breaking tradition by becoming the first woman to hold the position. She later served as Vice-President from 2013 to 2017 before returning as President from 2017 to 2021.

Victoriaville, 2012

Julio Cotellesso

As Purchasing Director at Steve’s Music Store, Mr. Julio Cotellesso became associated with the FHOSQ in 2002. He was a great friend of the Festival, recognized for his generosity and loyalty. These qualities were often expressed through his warm greeting: “How can I help you?” This phrase, reflecting his kindness, remains a symbol of his contribution to FHOSQ activities.

Montreal, 2012

Harry A. Tinker

Mr. Harry A. Tinker served as President of the Sherbrooke Concert Band in 1950–1951 and 1961–1962. He organized the Festival of the Amateur Band Association in Sherbrooke in 1962. He also served on the Executive Committee of the Federation of Amateur Bands of the Province of Quebec, which he chaired from 1961 to 1967.

Throughout his musical career, spanning from the 1940s to the 1980s, he worked as musical director of several concert bands and distinguished himself as a talented performer with symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles.

Sherbrooke, 2007

Serge Poirier

Mr. Poirier’s personal commitment was demonstrated not only within his local community but also throughout the province. He served on the FHOSQ Board of Directors from 1977 to 1979. For many years, he participated in the Festival des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec, accompanying numerous young musicians from his school, dedicating his time and efforts, and sharing his knowledge with them.

East Angus, 2006

Lorenzo Perron

Mr. Lorenzo Perron may be considered a leading figure in the development of music in the Saguenay region. Deeply involved for many years, including serving as President of the Harmonie d’Arvida, he was also very active on the Board of Directors of the Association des fanfares amateurs de la province de Québec.

As President beginning in 1965, he spearheaded the merger with the Fédération des fanfares amateurs, resulting in the creation of the Confédération des Harmonies-Fanfares du Québec in 1968.

Ville de la Baie (Arvida), 2004

Pierre Mailhot

An accomplished musician, co-founding president of the Sherbrooke Wind Ensemble, and a Board member of the Asbestos Music Camp (now Camp musical de Val-des-Sources) for more than 27 years, Mr. Pierre Mailhot served on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec for 22 years.

He chaired the organization from 1989 to 1993 and again from 1999 to 2001.

Sherbrooke, 2004

Marie Robert

Serving as Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the Festival des Harmonies in Cowansville in 1987, Ms. Marie Robert was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec the same year.

For sixteen years, until 2003, she managed secretarial responsibilities for both the FHOSQ Board of Directors and the Organizing Committee of the Festival des Harmonies in Sherbrooke.

Cowansville, 2004

Claude Tremblay

Delegate of the Harmonie Saguenay de Jonquière, educator, and musician recognized for his outstanding musical expertise, Mr. Claude Tremblay served on the Board of Directors from 1987 to 2003 and again from 2015 to 2017.

Alma, 2004

Claude St-Amand

President of the Organizing Committee of the Festival des Harmonies in Cowansville in 1987, Claude St-Amand co-founded, with Serge Lavertu, the Harmonie cadette Davignon, the first elementary-school concert band to participate in the Festival in Sherbrooke in 1992.

Elected to the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec in 1989, he served as President from 1993 to 1999. He later oversaw treasury operations from 2000 to 2017, when he retired from the organization after 28 years of dedicated service.

Cowansville, 2004

Gilles Valois

Highly involved with the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel-Tracy for nearly 50 years, Mr. Gilles Valois was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec in 1979, remaining an active member until his passing in 2016.

He also served as President of the Federation from 1983 to 1989. In 1986, he represented Quebec within the Canadian Band Association, and later served as its President from 1996 to 2000.

Sorel, 2004

Benoit Turcotte

Mr. Benoit Turcotte, Yamaha’s representative for Quebec, has been associated with the Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec (FHOSQ) for nearly 35 years. His generosity, exceptional commitment, and unwavering support of the FHOSQ’s mission and objectives have made him a highly valued partner.

Laval, 2001

Jean-Marie Roux

Musical director and head of the music department at Montcalm Secondary School in Sherbrooke, Mr. Jean-Marie Roux served on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec from 1983 to 1998. Recognized for his outstanding musical expertise, Mr. Roux coordinated the various Festival competitions throughout those years. Beginning in 1998, he also served for many years as a judge and chief adjudicator at the Festival des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec.

Sherbrooke, 2000

Jean-Louis Duford

An accomplished musician, clarinetist, and musical director who brought a modern perspective to the Federation, Mr. Duford was actively involved with the Harmonie Mont-Bruno and the Société philharmonique de Saint-Hyacinthe. A member of the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec from 1984 to 1989, he served as director, treasurer, and Quebec representative to the Canadian Band Association.

Saint-Bruno / Saint-Hyacinthe, 1999

Réjean Boutet

From the beginning of his musical career, Mr. Boutet was deeply involved with the Cercle musical de Victoriaville and the Société philharmonique de Saint-Hyacinthe, organizations for which he served as president at various times throughout the years. Within the Association des Harmonies-Fanfares, he served as vice-president of the Board of Directors in 1960 and as president in 1961. At the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec, Mr. Boutet sat on the Board of Directors from 1979 to 1987.

Victoriaville / Saint-Hyacinthe, 1998

Roger Grimard

Mr. Roger Grimard led the Harmonie d’Asbestos (now Harmonie Val-des-Sources) as president for more than 25 years. Highly active at the provincial level, he served on the Board of Directors of the Association des Harmonies-Fanfares de la province de Québec from 1948 to 1968, an organization he chaired in 1955 and again in 1957.

Asbestos, 1998

Maurice Coutu

Mr. Coutu served on the Boards of Directors of the Association des fanfares amateurs and the Confédération des Harmonies-Fanfares du Québec from 1930 to 1975. During those 45 years, he held the positions of director, president (1937), and secretary-treasurer from 1940 to 1975.

Shawinigan, 1997

Roland Lafrenière

Representing the Union musicale de Grand-Mère, Mr. Lafrenière served on the Board of Directors of the Confédération des Harmonies-Fanfares du Québec for more than six years. Elected in 1971, he was president of the Confederation from 1972 to 1974. In 1975, he stepped down from the presidency to assume the role of secretary-treasurer, succeeding Mr. Maurice Coutu.

Grand-Mère, 1997

Lionel Thivierge

As delegate of the Union musicale de Thetford Mines, Mr. Thivierge may be regarded as a true champion of concert band music in his community, both during periods of prosperity and during more challenging times of rebuilding. A highly active member of the Fédération des Harmonies, Mr. Thivierge served on the Board of Directors from November 1979 to September 26, 1982.

Thetford Mines, 1996

Cyrille Villeneuve

A very active member of his band and a dynamic collaborator of the Federation, Mr. Villeneuve joined the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec in 1978 and served as treasurer until 1987.

Jonquière (Kénogami), 1995

Charles-Auguste Villeneuve

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Auguste Villeneuve, in addition to conducting several military bands, served as Supervisor of Music for the Canadian Armed Forces. He was also Music Service Advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of Music for the Canadian Armed Forces. For more than 50 years, Mr. Villeneuve generously shared his expertise and loyalty with our organization by serving as a judge and chief adjudicator at the various competitions and festivals organized by the Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec.

Montréal, 1994

Léo Dufour

Mr. Léo Dufour served on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec from 1975 to 1992. Recognized for his exceptional dedication to the Federation, he held the positions of director and secretary for 17 years.

Jonquière (Arvida), 1993

Pierre Laforest

Mr. Laforest became the delegate of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel in 1978. Hired that same year as a “development officer,” he later assumed the position of Executive Director of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec, a role he held until 1986.

Sorel, 1992

Georges Codling

Delegate of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel, Mr. Codling served for 13 years on the Federation’s Board of Directors as either director or Chair of the Musical Directors Committee. In 2001, his exceptional contribution to the development of concert band music was recognized through his appointment to the Order of Canada.

Sorel, 1985

Armand Ferland

As a captain, Mr. Ferland conducted the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band and the Band of the Royal 22e Régiment, in addition to serving as Inspector of Military Bands for the Eastern Region. Beginning in 1966, he pursued a career as a clarinet and saxophone professor at Université Laval. An esteemed collaborator of our organization for more than 50 years, Mr. Ferland supported the Federation’s events as a judge and chief adjudicator.

Québec City, 1984

Denis Lalonde

Delegate of the Harmonie d’Asbestos, Denis Lalonde served on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec for 14 years. From 1978 to 1983, he led the organization as president. From 1993 to 2003, he continued his involvement as Chair of the Honorary Members Committee.

Asbestos, 1983