Hamilton Councillor Brad Clark Joins Canadian Orpheus Male Choir as Patron

Hamilton, Canada, October 24, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The announcement was made today by Keith Thomas, choir president. “The COMC is honoured to have Councillor Clark join us as a Patron. Brad’s extensive network and expertise in the non-profit sector, combined with his personal appreciation for music will certainly help us advance our objectives this season.’’

The COMC, a registered Canadian non-profit, has been singing to support charitable causes and to promote a high standard of choral singing across southern Ontario since 1977. This season, the choir aims to grow its membership and strengthen its ties in the greater Hamilton community.

“It is an honour for me to be appointed Patron of the prestigious COMC,” said Clark. “I look forward to acting as their ambassador wherever I go.”

Born and raised in Hamilton, Clark received a diploma in Radio Broadcasting from Mohawk College and certification in Non-Profit Management from McMaster University.

Clark was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1999 as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Stoney Creek. He served the Province as Minister of Transportation, Minister of Labour and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. He was also the Commissioner on the Board of Internal Economy, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and Assistant Deputy Government Whip. In 2006, Clark was elected Ward 9 Councillor representing Stoney Creek-Heritage Green. He was re-elected in 2010 for a second term and currently serves as Chair of the Development Charges review Sub Committee. He is also on the General Issues Committee, Board of Health, Licensing Tribunal, Audit and Administration, Economic Development and Planning, Heritage Green Community Trust, and the Newalta Neighbourhood Liaison Committee.

Outside of politics, Clark has been actively involved in the non-profit sector lending his expertise to roles in fund development, public relations and marketing. In recent years he has served the community as Executive Director of the Conservation Foundation of Hamilton, the Vice-President of Development at St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation as well as on various other organizations supporting those affected by autism. He is also involved with the local Knights of Columbus. On a national level, Clark served as the National Development Director for the Catholic Missions of Canada and, most recently, as the CEO of the Canadian Recreation Vehicle Association.

“Upon being invited to become a Patron of the choir, Brad agreed without hesitation,” added COMC fundraising director George Robinson, who has known Clark for the past 26 years as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

“An honest and straightforward gentleman with a longstanding commitment to community that meshes well with the COMC’s values, Brad will be an excellent proponent of our choir.”

About the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir:

The COMC is an internationally known choir of some 45 members open to men ages 19-plus from all cultural backgrounds. Its repertoire is extensive and varied, and includes popular tunes, songs from musicals, opera choruses, spirituals, hymns, ballads and folk songs.

The COMC has performed more than 450 concerts in venues such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London. Concert tours have taken the choir to the United States, Western Canada, the Maritime Provinces, Europe and elsewhere.

Over the years the choir has performed with many guest artists, most notably the bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, tenor Glyn Evans, soprano Abigail Freeman, violinist Martin Beaver, the Canadian Brass, and the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The choir is a non-profit corporation which regularly performs for the benefit of charitable causes. The COMC has raised and donated some $800,000 to support charities, including service clubs, churches, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and The Hamilton Spectator Children’s Fund, among others.