David & Margaret Lintern, longtime Sooke Phil supporters

The year was 2000.  Dr. David Lintern and his wife Margaret were driving through Colwood.  They saw a sign outside the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre advertising an upcoming concert by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra.  They laughed out loud.  “Philharmonic!” said Margaret. “A tad bold!” said David. 

Inexplicably, they attended that concert.  To their surprise, they enjoyed it immensely, thoroughly impressed by the quality of the performance, the talent of the musicians and flair of the conductor.  Over the following 21 years, David and Margaret faithfully attended “all but one or two” of the ensuing concerts.  Paradoxically (some would say penitently), each year David has volunteered his time and his truck to help erect the signs that publicize upcoming SPO events.

A nurse by profession, Margaret managed the office for David’s family practise in Victoria after they arrived on the Island in 1974 via Ontario from Wales.  In retrospect, their connection to Sooke now seems inevitable.  David’s love of salmon fishing saw him spending many enjoyable hours off the Sooke coastline. One of his patients was Norman Nelson, the founder of the SPO and they became fast friends.  With the music and the fishing now drawing him, David suggested to Margaret that they move to the area.  “Sooke?” asked Margaret. “No, no,” said David.  “Saseenos.”

The Linterns have been tireless supporters of the SPO.  David sat on the Board and acted as President for a number of years. Margaret, who now sits on the Board, has helped organize the Secret Garden Tour, the Fling and the Tea and Symphony, as well as lending a hand at the Chamber Music Workshops.  They share a love for live music and for the community associated with the Sooke Philharmonic.  They encourage everyone to get involved in the many activities of this fine organization.