2024 Youth Awards

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

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 Endowed Fund.

Olivier Lafleur, violin (2yr)

Alex Martinko, violin (2yr)

Emily Miller, clarinet (1yr)

Theo Busch, bass clarinet (2yr)

Theo Busch, Emily Miller, Olivier Lafleur, Alex Martinko

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 Endowed Fund.

Grace Rooyakkers, percussion (2yr)

Grace Rooyakkers attends Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin. She has been a percussionist since 2017 and has been playing in the Georgian Bay Symphony since February 2023. Now in her final year of high school, she has also played in the SDSS Concert Band, Port Elgin Community Band, Southampton Community Band, and Festival of Winds.