In Memoriam | FHOSQ

Charles-Auguste Villeneuve, Honorary Member

1930–2024

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec (FHOSQ) regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Charles-Auguste Villeneuve, an FHOSQ Honorary Member since 1994.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Villeneuve generously shared his expertise and loyalty with our organization by serving as both adjudicator and chief adjudicator at the Soloists and Small Ensembles Competition and the Festival des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec.

In addition to conducting several military bands, Mr. Villeneuve served as Supervisor of Music for the Canadian Armed Forces. He was also Music Service Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of Music for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Lorenzo Perron, Honorary Member

2023

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Mr. Lorenzo Perron.

An Honorary Member of the Federation since 2004, Lorenzo Perron is recognized as a leading figure in the development of music in the Saguenay region. Deeply involved for many years in various capacities, including 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 played a pivotal role in the merger with the Fédération des fanfares amateurs, leading to the creation of the Confédération des Harmonies-Fanfares du Québec in 1968.

Our thoughts are with his children, Lise, Richard, and André Perron, as well as with his family and loved ones.

Réjean Boutet, Honorary Member

1935–2018

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Réjean Boutet, an FHOSQ Honorary Member.

Mr. Boutet was actively 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 his career. Within the Association des Harmonies-Fanfares, he served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors in 1960 and as President in 1961. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec from 1979 to 1987.

Jean-Pierre Lambert, Recognition Award Recipient

2017

Mr. Jean-Pierre Lambert was the first-ever recipient of the FHOSQ Recognition Award, presented to musicians and Federation collaborators whose exceptional careers serve as a source of inspiration within their communities and throughout Quebec.

Mr. Lambert distinguished himself through his extraordinary contribution to the development of music in his hometown of Victoriaville. He also earned recognition as the pianist and accompanist for Pierre Verville, Jean-Guy Moreau, and Jean Lapointe, as well as a musical director at Radio-Canada for the programs À la semaine prochaine and L’Auberge du Chien noir.

Gilles Valois, Honorary Member

1938–2016

It was with profound sadness that the Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec learned of the passing of Mr. Gilles Valois on February 23, 2016.

Mr. Valois had been an active member of the FHOSQ Board of Directors since 1979.

Léo Dufour, Honorary Member

2013

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Léo Dufour, a great builder of our organization and a long-serving member of our Board of Directors.

Mr. 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.

The members of the FHOSQ Board of Directors wish to acknowledge Mr. Dufour’s remarkable commitment to the Federation and its activities. We will remember a kind and genuine man and, above all, a loyal friend. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his entire family.

Julio Cotellesso, Honorary Member

2012

The FHOSQ regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Julio Cotellesso of Steve’s Music Store, a valued collaborator and friend of our organization and its events.

As Purchasing Director at Steve’s Music Store, Mr. Cotellesso had been associated with the Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec since 2002. A great friend of the Festival, he was widely recognized for his generosity and loyalty, often expressed through the phrase, “How can I help you?” This simple question became a symbol of his presence and commitment to our events.

Jean-Louis Duford, Honorary Member

2010

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Jean-Louis Duford.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Fédération des Harmonies du Québec, he notably contributed to the computerization of the Federation’s services through his extensive expertise in the field. He also served as director, treasurer, and Quebec representative to the Canadian Band Association.

An accomplished musician, clarinetist, and musical director who embodied innovation within the Federation, Mr. Duford remained actively involved in later years with the Harmonie Mont-Bruno and the Société philharmonique de Saint-Hyacinthe.

Roger Grimard, Honorary Member

2007

The FHOSQ regrets to inform you of the passing of Roger Grimard, an FHOSQ Honorary Member.

Mr. Grimard served as President of the Harmonie d’Asbestos for more than 25 years. Highly active at the provincial level, he sat on the Federation’s Board of Directors from 1948 to 1968 and served twice as President, in 1955 and 1957.

Mr. Roger Grimard was also the father of Yvan Grimard and grandfather of Hugues Grimard, both important figures in the history of the Camp musical d’Asbestos.

Harry A. Tinker, Honorary Member

2007

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 and 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 served as musical director of several concert bands and distinguished himself as a talented performer with both symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles.

Serge Poirier, Honorary Member

2006

Mr. Poirier’s personal commitment was felt not only in his local community but throughout the province.

He served on the FHOSQ Board of Directors from 1977 to 1979. He participated in the Festival des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec for many years, accompanying numerous young musicians from his school and generously sharing his time, effort, and knowledge with them.

Pierre Laforest, Honorary Member

2006

The FHOSQ regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Pierre Laforest, Honorary Member and Executive Director of the Federation from 1978 to 1986.

The FHOSQ extends its sincere condolences to Mr. Laforest’s family, particularly Mr. Stéphane Laforest, former Musical Director of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée, adjudicator at the FHOSQ Festival, and Musical Director of the National Youth Band of Canada in 1997, as well as Ms. Josée Laforest, Musical Director of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée and Director of the Quebec Youth Elite Band in 2003.

Georges Codling, Honorary Member

2004

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec regrets to inform you of the passing of Mr. Georges Codling, Honorary Member of the Federation, former Musical Director of the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel, and recipient of the Order of Canada.

Named an Honorary Member of the Federation in 1985, Mr. Codling served for 13 years on the Federation’s Board of Directors as either a director or Chair of the Musical Directors Committee, representing the Harmonie Calixa-Lavallée de Sorel. In 2001, the FHOSQ recognized his induction into the Order of Canada for his exceptional contribution to the development of concert band music.

Maurice Coutu, Honorary Member

1997

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.

Over those 45 years, he held the positions of director, president (1937), and secretary-treasurer from 1940 to 1975.

Lionel Thivierge, Honorary Member

1996

As delegate of the Union musicale de Thetford Mines, Mr. Lionel Thivierge may be considered a true champion of concert band music in his community, both during times of prosperity and during more challenging periods of rebuilding.

A highly active member of the Fédération des Harmonies, he served on the Board of Directors from November 1979 to September 26, 1982.

Armand Ferland, Honorary Member

1984

As a captain, Mr. Armand Ferland conducted the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band and the Band of the Royal 22e Régiment, while also serving as Inspector of Military Bands for the Eastern Region.

Beginning in 1966, Mr. Ferland pursued a career as a clarinet and saxophone professor at Université Laval. An esteemed collaborator of our organization for more than 50 years, he supported Federation events as both an adjudicator and chief adjudicator.

Roland Lafrenière, Honorary Member

Representing the Union musicale de Grand-Mère, Mr. Roland Lafrenière served on the Board of Directors of the Confédération des Harmonies-Fanfares du Québec for more than six years.

Elected in 1971, he served as 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.