Gord Heath was part of the Stage & Lighting Crew in high school. Maybe he knew back then what all of Ontario District knows now – Gord loves working backstage on tech! Certainly, the District needs to write a letter of thanks to Gord’s teachers who got him involved in the world of stage production, because ever since 1979 (yes, that’s right – 1979), we have benefitted from his skills and dedication. And it’s a family affair, as we know. Son George and brother Rick are part of the amazing team of volunteers who work backstage at Ontario Conventions. And we couldn’t do it without them. It’s no secret that our conventions are smooth operations because of Team Heath. In fact, even before 1979, Gord was a helper backstage at conventions. He was a runner in the 1960’s and got his first big break with Larry Dale and the Onta-Fame shows before getting involved in District conventions. Through all those years he’s helped build the stages (when our conventions were held at event facilities that didn’t have stages), set up the sound and lighting, climbed up and down numerous ladders, made sure choruses and quartets were in position, opened and closed the curtains, “called the show”, and the list goes on. Ontario held many conventions at the Inn on the Park and a couple at Blue Mountain. These were great venues but, from a backstage perspective, they were mammoth undertakings. The set creation process to get ready for a convention in a non-theatre setting is huge. But even in theatre settings such as the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, or the stage at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville, there’s lighting to adjust, set-up to direct, and a long list of backstage tasks to complete before the show can go on. Gord, Rick, and George Heath have been indispensable in making sure our planning is complete and we’re ready for another smooth Ontario event.
Rick Heath joined the team at the 2007 spring convention in Collingwood, along with his two sons. The bubble venue was amazing, but we all know the amount of work it took to get ready for performance. Rick stepped up to the plate, and he (and the District) haven’t looked back since. Look for Rick today and you’ll see him with his headset and clipboard, ensuring that competitors are lined up, escorting groups on and off in expert fashion, in addition to his other duties for set-up and take-down. And little George (who is not as little as he was when he started work on Team Heath at the age of 6!) began his tour of duty when the convention was held at the Skyline Hotel near Toronto airport. He’s been on the job for 22 years now and, for the past 14 years since 2009/10, he’s been the one in charge. George is now the captain of Team Heath and gets to order his dad and uncle around. In some families that might be a recipe for disaster. But the Heath family – like the barbershop family in Ontario – works together in harmony. We are in strong and capable hands with this amazing team.
Why do they keep doing this job, convention after convention, year after year? It doesn’t take the Heaths long to answer that question. “We just love it.” No surprise. At any convention, look for the Heaths and you’ll see the ones with the biggest smiles and warmest congratulations for all the folks who cross the stage. This team enjoys the opportunity to contribute to the success of our conventions, and they love the chance to meet and support singers from across the District.
Our success as a District is a result of the energy and commitment of our volunteers. Every week in every chorus and quartet across the District, someone is setting up risers or making coffee or greeting guests or doing any of the many things that make us successful. Often quietly, without fanfare. But let’s make sure to take notice and to thank all these volunteers who perform such crucial tasks. As Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Gord, Rick and George Heath have given us so much. Thank you!