We had an opportunity to ask a few questions of Brian Garner, one of our dedicated Walking Tour Guides.
Tell us a little about yourself and your many involvements in the Guelph Community.
I take an active part wherever I have lived. I moved to Guelph to take a position as Director of Music at a local Church. All has developed from there. I now volunteer with GAC and the Guelph Kiwanis Music Festival where I am involved in the organizing committee, fundraising and session coordination. I am on the Steering Committee for Spark of Brilliance and have been a member of the Museum; one membership I must renew!
You’ve been a fantastic Guelph Arts Council Walking Tour Guide now for over 4 years. What brought you to volunteering with GAC?
When moving to a new area, I like to know it well. I read about the walking tours and started every Sunday afternoon to attend these tours. Eventually, one of the guides after asking me something about a location said, “Why don’t you become a guide?” That is how it all started.
What do you like most about being a Historical Walking Tour guide?
There are two things that I love about being a guide, the first is being able to show significant parts of this beautiful city’s architecture and history to others and secondly, to be able to point out items to people who have lived here all their lives, but have never known of such areas and items. Perhaps they have driven by them daily; however, to see many one has to park the car; get out and walk!
Could you tell me about 2NS4U Music Therapy?
After returning home to Canada from Texas where I had been Music Therapy Coordinator for a state residential facility, I set up my own practice through which I am able to offer services to groups and individuals. Through music and its various elements, I am able to assist people with challenges; developmental, physical, mental and particularly with geriatric issues.
Guelph Historical Walking Tours run from April to October and you can find out the details at http://guelpharts.ca/gac-programming#walkingtours.
