2023 Youth Awards

The Georgian Bay Symphony supports young musicians in a variety of ways including the annual award of several bursaries and scholarships. Join us in congratulating the recipients of this year’s awards. Here is a list of awards winners.

Back Row: Olivier Lafleur, Alex Martinko, Grace Rooyakkers, Aidan Nelson

Front Row: Tessa Busch, Rebecca Selman, Richard Mascall, Interim Conductor.

The Herman Dilmore Award

This award honours the founding conductor/music director of the GBS. Dilmore was a Music Professor at the University of Western Ontario, where he introduced the Suzuki Method after studying under Dr. Suzuki himself. It is given to a student who has made a contribution to the orchestra and will be returning to play again next season. This is often given to two or more students. This award is supported in part by Long & McQuade Music Stores and The Walker Family Fund.

Olivier Lafleur, violin (1yr)

Alex Martinko, violin (1yr)

Grace Rooyakkers, percussion (1yr)

Tessa Busch, bass clarinet (1yr)

The Burton Morrison Award

This award is given to a student who has played with us but will be leaving to pursue a post-secondary education. Burton Morrison was a founding member of the GBS and played first Violin with us for over 25 years. A teacher by profession, he was especially interested in helping and encouraging young people. Burton Morrison continued to play the violin until the time of his death, giving his final performance at the Symphony’s concert in October of 2004. The Symphony is thankful to the Morrison family for continuing to support this award and the Walker Family Fund.

Rebecca Selman, percussion (2yr) Aidan Nelson, violin (2yr)

Rebecca Selman is a grade twelve student and percussionist at Saugeen District Secondary School. She is an active member within the music community in Saugeen Shores as she is involved with Summer Music Society, teaches drum kit at Blackboard Sound in Port Elgin, and has performed with various community bands. She is a member of the S.D.S.S. concert band, jazz band, and vocal ensemble. Outside of her community she has performed percussion with the Ontario Provincial Honour Band (2022) and twice with The National Youth Band of Canada (2022, 2023). This fall, she will be attending the University of Western Ontario where she will be continuing her studies with Dr. Jill Ball in percussion.

Hi, my name is Aidan Nelson. I am 17 and I am graduating from Owen Sound District Secondary School in June. I have been playing violin since the age of seven and have played in the Georgian Bay Symphony for two years. Next year, I will be taking Computer Science at Carleton University in Ottawa. I hope to keep music in my life as I progress through post-secondary and beyond.