Musicians

In 1916, music and singing in Rotary were blessed by the appearance of a new song ‘In The Rotary’ with words and music by the then world famous Sir Harry Lauder – a member of the Rotary Club of Glasgow. He sang this song for audiences throughout the world and he’d make them join in the singing. The International Fellowship of Rotarian Musicians, founded in 1972, has a similar mission.

The IFRM offers opportunities for members to:

• meet through our Districts, or at Conferences and Conventions.
  
• share and discuss our experiences and musical service inputs through our newsletters: ‘Music Notes’ and ‘Newsy Notes’ and internet correspondence. 
• raise Rotary’s image through links with young musician competitions or similar events;
• perform or give talks and presentations to clubs and community groups.
  
• serve as governors on County Music Services committees.
• promote musical events and so forth.

Our directory is available to all our members, now around 400 in number from over 27 countries worldwide.

We encourage our fellow Rotarians to get involved with music activities at club level or in our communities; to form a local band or choir; to sponsor events or encourage others to give donations to local groups. We endeavour to help those who do so much to help young people to achieve their true potential in music.

Members include composers, classical and popular singers, organists, broadcasters, writers, promoters, conductors, members leading brass bands, concert orchestras and jazz and rock groups. All sorts of musical interests from Rotarians orchestrated to serve through music.

At the World Convention in Birmingham in June 2009, IFRM members from all over the world provided continual music and entertainment in the HOF over five days all collated, programmed and presented by IFRM talent scout member Richard Green (Wolverhampton Club). A Rotarian pop group, the ONO Band, from Grantham launched their Polio Plus song ‘Message for the World’ on a CD which has the support of Bill Gates, RIBI and our own world President John Kenny.

If you would like to include that extra bit of added value to your Rotary life with fun and service through music then contact PDG Peter Moreton, IFRM Director/Vice-chair UK on 01604 406371,email docswing@btopenworld.com or log on to www.IFRM.org.