Generously supported by THE JULIE-JIGGS FOUNDATION	Harry Somers Lecture & Music Is a public broadcaster still relevant for Canada in the 21st century? Guest speaker: Ian Morrison, Spokesperson, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting
	Stratford City Hall Auditorium Wednesday, August 4. 11:15am. Free Event.
Harry Somers C.C. (1925-1999) was the composer of Canada’s greatest musical achievement, the opera Louis Riel, and the first Canadian composer to receive the highest level, Companion, in The Order of Canada in 1971. In addition to his scores for traditional musical performances and his chamber operas, Somers wrote music for theatre, ballet, film and tv productions. He was also a prolific broadcaster, author and advocate for Canadians to support the arts and artists of this country.
For the tenth successive year, Summer Music honours one of Canada’s greatest composers with this series which gives voice to Somer’s music and, in the tradition of his exploring mind, looks carefully at an issue important to the arts in 21st century Canada. In the midst of the atmosphere of uncertainty and controversy, the topic for 2010 asks, “Is a public broadcaster still relevant for Canada in the 21st century?” Ian Morrison, our 2010 speaker, is the spokesperson for Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, a non-profit watchdog group for Canadian programming in the audio-visual system. FRIENDS is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party. An important part of FRIENDS' mission is advocacy  in support of Canadian content on radio and television. As the former Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Adult Education (CAAE), Ian Morrison was instrumental in the creation of Friends in 1985. He is a member of FRIENDS' Steering Committee and represents FRIENDS with the media and in public presentations, such as CRTC hearings. Prior to his work with CAAE, he served as President of the Frontier College. Photo of ian morrison by Patrick Tam