As summer draws to an end my thoughts turn to the upcoming HPYO season and the continuation of this incredible journey. Buoyed by our successes in Ottawa, I have prepared an exciting, challenging and most of all, rewarding season. The beauty and grandeur of Beethoven's Pastoral symphony will be offset by the wonder and frivolity of Mozart's dreamy Magic flute and the vigour and humour of Rossini's Barber of Seville. The winter concert will feature one of my favourite things - Paris. From the tombs of Pere Lachaise Cemetery alon Hausmann's boulevards to the grand cathedrals, this music will be a sure fire way to beat the February blahs. We finish with a journey down the majestic Moldau arriving at Dvorak's youthful masterpiece, his 6th symphony. there are many challenges ahead and I am excited to begin our 45th season.