2008 Betty Webster Awards - Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada

Orchestras Canada Announces the Winners of the 2008 Betty Webster Awards

Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada (OC) is delighted to announce the winners of the Betty Webster Awards for 2008. Created in 2002, the Awards honour long-time OC executive director Elizabeth Webster by recognizing people and organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Canadian orchestral community through leadership, education and volunteerism. The 2008 Awards committee was chaired by Manitoba Chamber Orchestra general manager Vicki Young. She was joined by Rob McAlear (Artistic Administrator of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra); Alain Trudel (Music Director of the CBC Radio Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Orchestre symphonique de Laval); Betty Webster (Executive Director Emeritus of OC); and Katherine Carleton (Executive Director of OC). The 2008 winners (from west to east) are:

Pat Middleton, Regina SK

Pat Middleton is currently serving as Centennial Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) after 22 years on the administrative staff of the orchestra, for 17 of which she was the RSO’Äôs Executive Director. Under her leadership, the orchestra has established an enviable reputation as a financially stable and active ensemble, with a supportive audience, interesting programming and exceptional community partnerships. Speaking on behalf of the committee, Vicki Young cited Pat Middleton’Äôs ’Äúdetermination, warmth and passion’Äù and noted the great admiration and affection in which she is held by her colleagues in the Canadian orchestral community. Pat Middleton was nominated for the award by RSO musician and personnel/production manager Stephen McLellan.

Mina Grossman Ianni, Windsor ON

Mina Grossman Ianni has recently stepped down from the staff team of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), after 10 years with the orchestra, initially as Executive Director (1998-2001) and then as Director of Development. Due in no small part to her focus, determination and profound belief in what the orchestra could accomplish, during her tenure with the orchestra the WSO stabilized its financial position, expanded its budget, increased its concert schedule, and built a nationally-recognized education and community engagement program. Mina Grossman Ianni was nominated by current Windsor Symphony Executive Director Jeth Mill.

The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, Province of New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO/OJNB) was founded in 1965 and provides young musicians throughout New Brunswick with the opportunity to build their musicianship by learning and performing orchestral music. The NBYO is made up of approximately 80 young musicians from all corners of the province, and their music director is Dr. James Mark. They’Äôve had had a remarkable year in 2007-08, a season that has included a tour of China, a much-acclaimed performance at the East Coast Music Awards, an ECMA for Classical Recording of the Year, and a Dialogue Award from their province’Äôs Lieutenant Governor, saluting their commitment to operating in both official languages. The NBYO is a leader, continually seeking to improve access to performance and education opportunities for young musicians across New Brunswick. The NBYO was nominated for the award by the Chair of the Symphony New Brunswick Foundation, Reid Parker.

The award presentations will take place at concerts by the Regina Symphony, Windsor Symphony and New Brunswick Youth Orchestra in the fall of 2008. As OC Executive Director Katherine Carleton says, ’Äúit is an honour to be able to recognize these outstanding citizens of the Canadian orchestral community in front of the audiences they’Äôve served with such fidelity for so many years.’Äù

Orchestras Canada will be at the forefront of advocacy and leadership development for Canadian orchestras, taking informed action for the benefit of orchestras and the communities they serve. OC’Äôs mission is to be the united national voice of the Canadian orchestral community, furthering and enriching the work of Canadian orchestras through programs and services in both official languages.