Piano:

JANE MAURICE TROPHY (1988)
“Recipients of this trophy are moving toward adulthood with honour and ability.  They have spent the majority of their lives developing their musical skills and must be congratulated on their contribution to the musical life of this community.  Whenever talent is linked with powerful motivation from within, this is a winning combination.  As teachers, we pass on the tradition that began centuries ago, of introducing the music of the great masters to our students.  I find enduring satisfaction in my ongoing life as a teacher, which presents new challenges each day.  I believe strongly in music’s power to bring beauty into the life of a home, community and nation, and I think we should work together to acknowledge the achievements of our youth, and to promote music in our lives.  I congratulate the recipient of the Jane Maurice trophy.”
 

PHONSE STONE SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (1986)
This scholarship was established in memory of Alphonse Stone (1960-1986) a young man who loved music.  Phonse filled his family’s home with the sounds of piano, playing before breakfast, after school, and all evening.  After starting lessons with Mrs. Rutherford in 1972, he won several awards and trophies, as well as completing Gr. 9 piano.  Phonse readily shared his talent, learning and playing the organ for Phelpston and Elmvale churches. He accompanied soloists at weddings (sometimes singing solo himself) and for the Elmvale District High School musicals.  He often provided afternoon entertainment for those living at the Sara Vista Nursing Centre.  He touched the lives of many, and his family is encouraged to know that through the Y’s Men’s Music Festival our youth in the community continue that tradition.
 

SUE SMILEY MEMORIAL TROPHY (1984)
Sue Smiley was a renowned piano teacher in Midland for many years.
 

ATLAS BLOCK CO. LTD. SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (1998)
Don Gordon of Atlas Block has a great interest in music for young people.
 

STEVENS-BRIDGES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (1947)
Mr. Stevens and Mr. Bridges began the Y’s Men’s Music Festival in 1946.
 

KATHLEEN MOUNTEER TROPHY (1984)
We will always remember Kay Mounteer’s contribution to music with admiration and affection as we award her Trophy each year to the next budding musician.  Over the years, she became renowned for the pursuit of excellence in teaching piano students. Under her tutelage, they reflected her ability to correctly interpret music and perform musically. Touch, inflection, timing and rhythm were blended into the students’ learning experience and the rewards for their effort were the many trophies and scholarships they received over two generations.   Kathleen Mounteer passed away in 1999.
 

MIDLAND LIONS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP -- $200 (1995)
The Midland community became a proud member of the Lions in 1937.  The Mission Statement of the Lions is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services though community involvement and international understanding.  Their many sponsorships and donations to local projects are too considerable to mention here, but over the years their strong dedication to serving young people is apparent. The Lions’ many scholarships to several local schools and of course the Midland Y's Men’s Music Festival are significant in recognizing the accomplishments of our youth.
 

LOREEN ENS SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (2000)
The scholarship for the Outstanding Junior Piano Duet or Trio performance is donated by Loreen Ens.  Mrs. Ens received her ARCT, a Piano Teacher’s Certificate, from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has taught music in schools in Manitoba and Ontario.  She has directed school choirs in Manitoba and several church youth choirs in Ontario.  She has also taught private piano lessons in the Midland area for the past 25 years.  Mrs. Ens has been involved in performing piano duets, and teaching her students to play duets, for many years.  She believes in enhancing the musical progress of piano students by offering this scholarship to junior pianists who have taken the extra time to learn to work together to make beautiful music.
 

MARJORIE OLMSTED PLAQUE (2004)
Marjorie Olmstead was a renowned piano teacher in Midland for many years.  The plaque was donated by John French.
 

MRS. HIROMI ISHII SCHOLARSHIP -- $300 (1997)
The Midland Y’s Men’s Music Festival appreciates the generosity of the Ishii family for their continued support of the festival.  Many will remember Chiaki and Miaki Ishii who participated in the festival in the ‘90’s.  Miaki graduated in 2003 from M.I.T. with a doctorate in Physics.  Chiaki attends Stamford in California pursuing a degree in Chemistry.
 

DOROTHY SWALLOW/KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (1988)
Dorothy Swallow was born and raised in Midland, the daughter of John Swallow and Emily Frost.  She was a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  Her adult life was spent in teaching piano to both young people and adults.  She was very proud of her students, encouraging and taking interest in whatever professions these young people chose.  Dorothy was a member of the “Music Teachers Group” which played a major role in the founding of the Midland Y’s Men’s Music Festival as we know it today. 
Miss Swallow passed away in 1985.  The scholarship in Miss Swallow’s name was established by the Session of Knox Presbyterian Church from a bequest to the church by the estate.  The award is split between a deserving student of piano at the Festival and the Music Department at Midland Secondary School.
 

THE SCHOOL OF DANCE AND MUSICIANSHIP PLAQUE and SCHOLARSHP -- $50 (2003)
“The Midland Y’s Men’s Music Festival has enriched the life of our family for almost 15 years.  Thanks to the admirable initiative of our local music teachers our children were invited to participate in the vocal and recorder divisions of the festival from an early age.    Soon Ferenc developed a particular interest in playing piano, and he has been an enthusiastic festival participant ever since.
Over the years our interest in the Music Festival has grown well beyond the participation of our own children. Every year we look forward to enjoying the performances of numerous talented young musicians. Quite a few we have seen grow up into accomplished musicians.
As the director of the School of Dance & Musicianship I am well aware that a lot of diligent work goes into acquiring a good technique and confident performing skills. This is equally true for music as it is for dance.  The ability to use this technique freely in improvisation is a tremendous gift to a dancer as well as to a musician. It is a gift that needs to be nurtured and should be encouraged in young artists from an early age.  It is this conviction that led us to sponsoring a plaque and scholarship for Outstanding Piano Improvisation.  May our contribution assist many young pianists in discovering this delightful skill.”

                  Patricia Stenton

                  The School of Dance & Musicianship
 

TD CANADA TRUST TROPHY (1990)
The TD Canada Trust Trophy (formerly the Laurentian Bank award) for Outstanding Senior Vocalist was initiated by a former Y's Man, Stan Bodnarchuk who served the Laurentian Bank as its manager in the 1990's.  Stan was a past president of the club as well as past president for the Midland Chamber of Commerce and the recipient of many community awards.  Stan and wife Judy now reside in Western Canada with their family and grandchildren.
 

CONNIE TAWS TROPHY (2001)

Connie Taws has provided the Trophy for Outstanding Intermediate Vocalist of the year.  Connie teaches voice lessons to students aged 8 to over 48 as well as junior piano.  She studied piano through University of Western Ontario’s Conservatory of Music.  Her early beginning as a performer on CKNX television at Wingham led to a career as a professional singer/musician before she and her husband Bill (also a musician) settled in Midland.  She has enjoyed teaching music to students in the public school system as a volunteer.  Connie’s goal is to help students realize the joy in making music.
 

YVONNE DANIELS RECOGNITION SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 and TROPHY (1997)

Yvonne Daniels, who emigrated from South Africa in 1967, became a schoolteacher in Penetanguishene and a noted vocal teacher in this area.   She felt that the gift of music to a child is one of beauty that will last a lifetime.  She fostered a love and appreciation of music touching many families.  Donated by the family of J.D. Barnes.
 

BOURGEOIS MOTORS SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 (1997)

The Festival appreciates the generosity and support of numerous community service clubs and businesses.   Bourgeois Motors donates annual scholarships to encourage deserving vocalists.
 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHERS PLAQUE (2004)
Many elementary school music teachers, past and present, have dedicated countless hours to Midland and area school children. This year, in recognition of these individuals, a new plaque for the most promising elementary school trained male and female vocalist has been donated by Helga Veall, Don & Mary Jane Morgan and Priscilla Eggleton, and a scholarship provided.  The following is a list of many of these teachers:  Isobel Ball, Julie Bridgeman, Christine Brodeur, Donna Burton, Glenn Campbell, Yvonne Daniels, Alex Docherty, Lloyd Farquhar, William Finch, Carol Gerow, Allen Harrington, Clifford Ireland, Mary Jarman, Suzanne Kluck, Wilma Koiter, Brenda Krohn, Kelly Kurtz, Douglas Major, Corrie Monague, Carol Montgrain, Mary Jane Morgan, May Moriarty, Kathleen Mounteer, Joan Osler, Catherine Richardson, Blaine Scott, Joan Self, Joan Sundeen, Lillian Switzer, Helga Veall, Jean Widdes, and Anne Wilkes.
 

CATHERINE RICHARDSON TROPHY (1988)
The Catherine Richardson Trophy for the Outstanding School in choral achievement recognizes the contribution of Catherine Richardson who has been accompanying the school vocal solos and groups since 1946.  Many private students have appreciated her musical abilities as well.
 

TROPHÉE ADRIEN LAMOUREUX {Français} (1988)

The Adrien Lamoureux Trophy was established to recognise the first principal of the school of Le Caron.
 

TROPHÉE ANATOLE CHARLEBOIS {Français} (1988)

With the Anatole Charlebois Trophy, we remember the musical gift and commitment of the man who performed mass for so many years at the church of Ste. Croix in Lafontaine.
 

TROPHÉE LUCRESE MARCHAND ET BOURSE {Français} -- $100 (1987)

Mme. Lucrese Marchand was devoted to her church and to music.  Her dedication was evident throughout her many years as organist for Ste. Ann’s Church in Penetanguishene.  In the same way, teachers give the gift of music to children, touching many families and lives.  The value is immeasurable.
 

BOURSE STEWART’S FUELS -- $50 (2000)

This scholarship from Stewart’s Fuels, Penetanguishene, is an award for a deserving choir that achieved proficiency in their performance.
 

GRIGAITIS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP -- $100 and TROPHY (2000)

The Grigaitis family has been blessed with the sounds of piano, guitar, flute, and saxophone and vocals in their home for many years.  All their children have been fortunate to participate in the Y’s Men’s Music Festival over the past 14 years. They wish to thank all the dedicated volunteers who share their time in the promotion of musicality.
 

BESTWAY RENT-ALL SCHOLARSHIP -- $50 (1997)

Wayne Turner, donor of the Bestway Rent-All Scholarship, is an accomplished guitarist.  With this award, he encourages young people to further their studies.
 

FAY PARKER TROPHY
Faye Parker began her career as a classical guitarist in her mid-thirties, calling herself a “late bloomer”.  She was inspired to begin learning guitar after hearing the famous Julian Bream.  With a new guitar given as a Christmas gift, Faye began taking lessons with the Royal Conservatory of Music.  Over the next fifteen years, she completed her practical music theory, harmony and history up to Grade 10.  She taught all styles of guitar for 23 years, i.e. popular, country, and rock, but her great passion was classical guitar.

R.C. IRELAND TROPHY (2002)
Playing the recorder is a beneficial foundation for participation in the secondary school music programs as well as providing a venue for young people to develop hidden talent.   Mr. R.C. Ireland was a school music teacher 50 years ago and would be very happy for the school participation tonight.  This trophy was presented from 1967-1987 for Sight Singing, and from 1991-2001 for Outstanding Band.
 

HURONIA ALARM & FIRE SECURITY TROPHY [formerly MIDLAND BOATWORKS TROPHY]
In the early years of the festival, a trophy was awarded by the company that built freighters in the Midland Harbour.  In 1991 Susan & Jim Worts, then owner of the Boatworks Restaurant, reinstated the trophy.  In 2005 the trophy was adopted and renamed by Huronia Alarm & Fire Security.
 

CHRIS FOURNIER MEMORIAL PLAQUE [2004-honouring his musical talents and donated by the “George Brown College Piano Technology Class of 2000” – instructors and students]
Chris was a talented and dedicated musician, specifically a saxophonist.  He was a resident of Midland and Penetanguishene for most of his life.  While attending Penetanguishene Secondary School, Chris cultivated his interest and talent with the saxophone.  He continued to study music at the University of Western Ontario and returned to Midland, playing with local bands such as Code Blue, Dirty Little Swing Thing and Wayne Buttery and the Groove Project.  Chris also attended George Brown College Piano Technology program, graduating with honours in 2000, which allowed him to become a piano tuner and technician.  It is in this capacity that those at George Brown knew, admired and respected Chris.  It is with great pleasure that they have initiated this award to honour his memory.
 

R.A. WELDON CUP (1998)
Introduction of the Original Composition classes to the festival syllabus demonstrates the changing musical interests of students.  After twenty years’ involvement with the festival, Ruth Weldon sponsored a trophy for Outstanding Original Composition to encourage diversity.
 

Sponsors of scholarships and trophies are requested to submit a background
for their award of not more than 250 words.