Kate Holmes – Biography
Kate Holmes is the out-going general manager of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. She feels blessed to have met and worked with so many passionate people in her three-plus years with the Orchestra. A tri-lingual marketing, communications and management professional, she joined the Symphony to learn about classical music. “It’s been an education!” After working in the private, public and now cultural sectors, she is excited for new challenges in the not-for-profit sector with the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, supporting a cause close to her heart. And to remaining an orchestra groupie.
The CDCC Artist Profile Series – Q&A
Q. What is the most rewarding part of working in marketing and arts administration?
A. The best part is being able to touch every aspect of the organization and bringing a program to light — i.e. the stage. Many arts organizations are small and at the OSO we like to refer to ourselves as “small but mighty.” We have to be resourceful and that demands creativity. We may be administrators but in this sector, that means you have to be creative, too. And that’s fun!
Q. Tell about your work collaborating with Carleton University and University of Ottawa to support students.
A. Our Honourary Music Advisor, Alain Trudel, has long talked about education being in the DNA of the Ottawa Symphony. We have been joined by talented U-Ottawa School of Music students for years, rounding out the full complement of our orchestra to play big repertoire–a hallmark of our orchestra. This gives these students their first professional opportunities performing with a full-scale orchestra. It’s fun to see them so green and gain skill and confidence as they progress. Carleton is a new and exciting partner. It’s been a joy to work with the great CDCC folks, Carleton Music faculty and we’ve had the great fortune to work with over a dozen Carleton students over the past year. We’ve worked with interns in Music, from the Not-for-Profit Leadership program, and the Sprott School of Business. Their insights and energy are informing our organization’s evolution and commitment to get closer to the community.
Q. What is it like to rehearse and host performances at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre?
A. It’s a reverent experience, even for the non-religious. It’s such a special place with warm uplifting energy. I love to take a few minutes during rehearsals to sit in the balcony and admire the architecture while the sound washes over me. The exterior of the building belies the warmth and beauty of the Sanctuary. And it sounds even better when the pews are warmed by patrons. I hope we can gather again in this hallowed place soon…
Q. What advice would you offer to someone trying to pursue an arts administration career?
A. Get in on the ground floor however you can. Arts organizations need volunteers, a few hours in the office or helping with a special project can help an organization enormously while offering insight to the environment. I have not come at this through a formal avenue, but I think there are many transferable skills. The French word “polyvalente” comes to mind. To be effective and have fun, you need to be a Jill of all trades, or get comfortable with becoming that. Try it, you might like it…
Q. How has your work been impacted during COVID-19?
A. In every way. We have a limited season, and had to cancel our last 2 concerts. It meant being decisive and communicating decisions and options to patrons who have been loyal for a long time and knowing they would be disappointed losing the opportunity to gather and hear their orchestra. But people have been very understanding and supportive. And of course our small but mighty staff: me, Jaime Douglas, our marketing and patron steward, and artistic coordinator, Cresta DeGraffe, have gotten comfortable with the technology that allows us to work from home. I think there are upsides, like making it easier to connect with our busy board members and musicians. ZOOM is the new enabler!
Q. So what do you do when you are a performing orchestra and can’t perform?
A. Well, like many we went digital, We’ve been producing programming featuring archival recordings — for the first time ever — and producing new content so we can keep connected to our people, our musicians and our city.
Q. What are the special projects that you have undertaken during the quarantine time?
A. On a personal level, lots of cooking, which is not new for me but my preferred creative outlet. I tried bread, it was great, but then I moved on to other things (like gardening and hanging out with my family). And for a while my eyes were crossing from too many professional and personal ZOOM calls… Professionally, it’s been a tie of consolidation of much of what we have been working on to progress the orchestra, and bringing people together to act on our opportunities.
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