Honorary Member of the Guild: A well-deserved tribute

Each year the GMMQ recognizes the distinguished career of one of its members by conferring upon him or her the status of Honorary Member. This honour may also be conferred upon a person who has rendered exceptional service to the GMMQ and its members by taking on important union responsibilities.

In addition to receiving this official recognition from the Guild, the honorary member no longer has to pay annual dues and continues to enjoy the rights and benefits of a regular member in good standing. Under our new policy there will be one nomination per year and potential candidates will be evaluated by a nominating committee independent of the Board of Directors.

The Guild invites its members to contact it by email for any relevant candidacy: communications@gmmq.com

How to obtain this honorary status?

To be eligible for the status of honorary member a candidate must be at least 65 years old and must have been affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians (AMF) for at least 35 years. If you want to propose a member’s candidacy, simply follow the procedure indicated on this following page and send the completed application form to the GMMQ before September 1st.

A nominating committee evaluates candidates' applications and nominates one honorary member each year.

Honorary members

The GMMQ warmly congratulates its honorary members :

• Léon Bernier : Pianist, Arranger-Orchestrator, Conductor
• Boris Brott : Conductor, Violin
• Marc Bélanger : Arranger-Orchestrator, Composer, Conductor
• Louis Charbonneau : Timbals, Baroques Timbals
• Gilles Delisle : Drums
• Michel Donato : Doublebass
• Joseph Greenstone : Viola, Violin
• Don Habib : Doublebass
• Buddy Hampton : Drums, Percussions (General)
• Sonia Jelinkova : Violin
• Oliver Jones : Piano
• Janine Lachance : Pianist Accompanist, Piano
• Aurèle Lacombe : Guitar
• Paul Lafortune : Drums
• Pierre D. Lévesque : Violin
• Roland Martel : Conductor, Trumpet, Singer
• Johnny Monti : Drums, Timbals, Singer
• Guy Nadon: Drums
• Oscar Peterson: Piano
• Bob Rollins : Conductor, Piano, Keyboards
• Tony Romandini : Guitar
• Simon Streatfield : Conductor, Piano, Viola

Honorary member nomination

A member may not submit his/her own candidacy. It must be submitted by another member.

Criteria

• Must be at least 65 years old ;
• Must have at least 35 cumulative years of affiliation with the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) ;
• Must have had a major impact during his/her career as a musician that members are clearly proud of OR must have been an active member who deserves such an honour because of services rendered to the Guild and its membership in the context of important union responsibilities.

Benefits granted

The honorary member will be exempt from paying his/her annual dues, but will retain all the rights and benefits of a regular member in good standing.

Candidate’s nomination file

The candidate’s nomination file must include the following elements :

• At least one detailed letter of recommendation attesting to the candidate’s contribution to the music community on the basis of at least one of the following criteria:
  •  the impact of his/her career and work OR ;
  •  services rendered to the GMMQ and its membership.

• a detailed curriculum vitae including the candidate’s mailing address, telephone number and, if applicable, email address ;
• a complete list of the candidate’s accomplishments ;
• press clippings.

The file may include no more than five letters of recommendation.

Selection

Candidates will be evaluated by a Committee which nominates only one honorary member each year.

Submission of application file

The file must be sent before September 1st to:

Honorary Members Committee
Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec
5445, av. De Gaspé, bureau 1005,
Montréal (Québec) H2T 3B2
communications@gmmq.com

Life Member

Eligibility Criterias

• Must be in good standing with the GMMQ.
• Must be at least 65 years old.
• Must have at least 35 cumulative years of affiliation with the GMMQ (AFM).

Benefits

• The Lifetime Member gets the same benefits as any other regular GMMQ member.
• The annual dues of $89 come to terms on January 1st, each year, instead of $225 (the year following the membership).

Gold Life Member

Eligibility Criterias

• Must be an active member of the GMMQ.
• Must have already received the Lifetime Member status
• Must have been with the GMMQ for 50 cumulative years.

Benefits

• The Gold Lifetime Member gets the same benefits as any other regular GMMQ member.
• The Gold Lifetime Member no longer pays any annual dues

Recognition cocktail

On December 20, 2023, the GMMQ celebrated its 2020-2024 life members at a cocktail party at GMMQ headquarters in Montreal. The GMMQ would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in us over the years. A feeling of pride and belonging reigned among the guests, who enjoyed a moment conducive to reunion and sharing.

Life Member Cocktail of January 16th, 2020, see the pictures

Life Member Cocktail of December 14th, 2018, see the pictures