My favourite dress is a full-length shimmering sheath with (ahem) a long slit up the side and covered in gold sequins: a glowing reflection of my love for music. I first wore it 18 years ago when I performed for the first time with a symphony orchestra: The Hamilton Philharmonic at Hamilton Place. I was petrified, but the dress sparkled and carried me through!

Since its inaugural performance, my dress has seen many stages including Massey Hall and has glowed before 4,000 at Mel Lastman square when I had the honour to work with the great Peter Appleyard and his Swing Fever Big Band.

During the past year or so it has graced stages in Victoria, the Annual Ball at RMC in Kingston, the Old Mill in Toronto, as well as a special tribute evening to songwriter and Toronto Symphony trumpet virtuoso Johnny Cowell. The dress even got to go out on New’s Year Eve to the Royal Canadian Military Institute for its gala celebration.

You might think I’d be getting tired of this dress but the opposite is true.  It glimmers with such wonderful musical memories. I hope I never outgrow it!

Priscilla Wright, Toronto, Ont.