|
Her Honour Barbara Hagerman, the Island’s recently appointed Lieutenant-Governor, can’t stop smiling. “Every day since I’ve been in this house,” Fanningbank, or Government House, “it’s like being on stage at Carnegie Hall. And since I’ve been on stage at Carnegie Hall, with my choir [the Summerside Community Choir, which she conducted for 17 years], I can tell you it’s very exciting.”
A singer, music teacher, and choral conductor, Her Honour is another representative of the Queen who, like recent Governors General Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean, has a background in culture and the arts. “I’ve said from the very beginning,” she says, “that the fact that I’ve been a performer all my life means that I’m used to getting dressed up, I’m used to being in front of people, I’m used to communicating with people…. I think a performer is built for this job.”
Creating a connection with an audience is an experience she cherishes. “A friend once said to me, ‘While you’re singing [on stage], you’re doing what 90% of the audience wishes they could do.’ That connection with the audience is palpable, but you can’t see it.”
Another friend describes transcendent moments as “SCMs”: “Sublime Choral Moments.” Her Honour says, “I wish scientifically we could find out what causes them or creates them! It always happens when there’s harmony, and it’s so nicely tuned…I’m not a scientist, but it must have something to do with vibrations of the air, as well as the heightened emotional level.”
Creating sublime connections with Islanders and visitors is on the agenda for her tenure at Government House. “I am who I am, and I presume that’s why I’m in this position,” Her Honour says in her open, friendly, casual way. “The hardest part of this appointment for me is to strike a balance between who I am as a person and the office of Lieutenant-Governor. For me, the challenge is not to be too familiar.” Showcasing the arts to create more accessibility will be an important part of meeting that challenge.
An initiative already in the works is a free recital series, featuring UPEI music students who will perform at Fanningbank on the last Monday of every month. In the planning stages, an initiative to celebrate multiculturalism by creating a welcome in Island homes for international students who cannot travel home for holidays. In the coming years, Her Honour also hopes to educate young people about the tradition and role of the Lieutenant-Governor and to find ways to welcome more seniors into the life of Government House.
She also dreams dreams for Government House. “It’s a beautiful house. The gardens are fantastic. The view is unequalled. The staff all do wonderful jobs, and they really care about this house,” she says. She wishes one room could showcase Island arts, crafts, or photography (a dream that would have to be realized along with the House Committee).
“The Island in general is such a special, special place. I chose it for my home. I chose it to have my family. I chose never to leave. Everyone says it’s the people that make it special, but I am one of the people. To me, it’s the colours. All the artists who do their work here, it’s reflected in their work.”
Despite lightheartedness, the seriousness of ceremony is not lost on the Queen’s representative in PEI. “I’ve had some really touching things happen since I came into this position,” Her Honour says, reflecting on a decorated veteran’s salute at the funeral for Canadian soldier, Warrant Officer Frank Mellish. “It’s very touching to see someone salute,” she says. “I know it’s the flag or the Queen they’re saluting, but I am the one receiving it, so I am the one being moved. The flag can’t say thank you, but I can, so I try to say thank you every time I can.”
Lieutenant-Governor Barbara Hagerman will have many opportunities to show gratitude with a smile or a welcome at Government House in the coming years.