Festival Results 2023
The Annapolis Valley Music Festival is a registered charity organization that presents a, fully adjudicated, festival each year. We are also a member of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia.
There are numerous awards and trophies sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and its patrons which are given each year to performers chosen by the adjudicators for their outstanding work. These prizes are presented at the “Stars of the Festival” concerts where honorees are invited to perform their winning selections.
Additional awards are available from time to time depending on sponsorship in any given year. When there is extra availability, these additional monetary prizes are also awarded at the adjudicators’ discretion.
The Herbin Bowl
This award is an engraved silver cup and $150, donated by Herbin Jewellers, for the Best Overall Junior Performer. All junior entrants who participate in five or more solo classes in two or more disciplines are eligible. Each qualifying junior is identified before the festival opens, and his/her/their progress is followed throughout the festival. A final decision is made based on recommendations from each adjudicator in conjunction with the record of participation and achievement overall.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Acadia University Rose Bowl
Mary Montgomerie Award
This award is an engraved bowl given annually to the Most Outstanding Performer in any one discipline who has achieved the highest average marks in three or more solo classes. It is donated by the Acadia University School of Music. A scholarship of $100 - the “Mary Montgomerie Award”, donated by John Montgomerie, accompanies the Rose Bowl.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Founders Bowl
New in 2023 we are delighted to be able to present the “Founders Bowl” which honours Annapolis Valley Music Festival founders Hetty Jackson and Marlene Jackson.
This award is an engraved crystal cup and $150, donated by Misty Banyard-Kelley and Scott Kelley in memory of Murna McNamara, for the Best Overall Senior Performer. All senior entrants who participate in three or more solo classes in two or more disciplines are eligible. Each qualifying student is identified before the festival opens, and his/her/their progress is followed throughout the festival. A final decision is made based on recommendations from each adjudicator in conjunction with the record of participation and achievement overall.
2023 Winner Cassie Mercurio
Piano Awards
The Sandra Wilson Awards
Four awards in junior piano, collectively known as the “Sandra Wilson Awards” were established by her family in order to honour her long service to music in the Valley, and to showcase her dedication to bringing the joy of music performance to students.
Baroque: Olivia Boudreau
Classical: Bria Hurlbut
Light Side: Simon Comeau
Romantic/Contemporary: Shiphrah Chan
Most Outstanding Pianist
This award is an engraved plaque and a $100 scholarship, sponsored by Wendy LaPierre. The adjudicator selects the entrant who has shown the highest level of skill and musicianship in a varied body of work, either junior or senior. It may be given in addition to, or in place of, a trophy.
2023 Winner: Benjamin Woo
The Hester Jackson Baroque Awards
This award was initiated by the late Hester Jackson, one of our festival founders, and has been continued in her memory. It consists of an engraved shield and a scholarship of $50,donated by Hermann Brunner, to recognize excellence in baroque piano performance.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Lynn Murray Memorial Awards
These two awards of $50 each are given by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival in memory of Lynn Murray. They are designated for deserving students as follows: Introductory to Grade 4 piano and Grade 5 to Grade 8 piano.
2023 Winners:
Simon Comeau (Intro to Gr. 4)
Nathan Woo(Grade 5-8)
The Lorri Dunn Music Studio: Piano Excellence Award
This award, accompanied by a $25 monetary prize, is awarded to the piano student showing the most promise and highest level of achievement in three or more piano classes, excluding a concert group.
2023 Winner: Shiphrah Chan
Vocal Awards
Most Outstanding Vocalist
This award is an engraved plaque, sponsored by the Valley Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and is accompanied by the “Evenden Herman Scholarship” of $100. The adjudicator may select a junior or senior entrant who has fulfilled the requirements for a major award.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Musical Theatre Awards
Solo and duet/ensemble awards are also awarded in musical theatre.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Musical Theatre Junior Scholarship
Shiretown Singers, in partnership with Centre Stage Theatre, offer a one week Drama camp experience during the summer or March Break at Centre Stage Theatre.
2023 Winner: Lydia Wang
Most Outstanding Musical Theatre Performance
This award is a trophy and a $100 scholarship, sponsored by John & Lana Churchill. The adjudicator will select an entrant who has shown the highest level of skill and musicianship in the musical theatre genre.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Choral Shields
The adjudicator selects winners in six categories from our choral catergories:
The Canadian Federation of University Women/Wolfville Branch Plaque is presented to the highest elementary choir.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Intermediate/Senior
Shield is presented to the highest intermediate/senior school or community choir.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The winner of the King’s Chorale Plaque is drawn from school entries and is awarded to the choir who has shown high musical skill and presentation skills to the adjudicator.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Male Ensemble Plaque and $100 scholarship, sponsored by the Kentville Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBQSA), is presented to a male quartet, male chorus, senior mixed choir or senior chorus.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Community and Church Choir Trophy is donated by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival Board in memory of Nancy Fraser. It is accompanied by a scholarship of $100 donated by the Harris Family.
2023 Winner: Valley Voices (Chapter of Harmony Inc.)
The Dr. Paul E. Kinsman Shield is presented to the Most Outstanding Choir of the festival. This was accompanied by a $100 scholarship donated by family and friends.
2023 Winner: Valley Voices (Chapter of Harmony Inc.)
Instrumental and Band Awards
Awards are given for both solo woodwinds and solo brass, at the discretion of the adjudicators. Engraved shields are awarded by the adjudicator in four categories. These shields are accompanied by gift certificates donated by Long & McQuade.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Most Outstanding Instrumentalist
The Touch of Brass Plaque is sponsored by Touch of Brass and is accompanied by a $100 scholarship presented by Rev. Robert Wallace in memory of Gwynneth Wallace. The adjudicator may select a winner from among junior or senior solo performers.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
Band Shields
Engraved shields are awarded by the adjudicator in four categories: highest elementary/junior band, highest intermediate concert band, highest senior concert band, and highest stage band. These shields are accompanied by gift certificates donated by Long & McQuade for each category.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
The Honour Band Award, which is accompanied by a $150 scholarship donated by John and Janet Trites, is presented to an Honour Band which is made up of players who have been auditioned, been invited, or have been selected from more than one school.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
String Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior, intermediate and senior/open trophies from among qualifying solo entries.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Chamber Ensemble
Awards may be given in both junior and senior categories to chamber ensembles at the discretion of the adjudicator.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Most Outstanding String Player
This award consists of an engraved plaque sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and a $100 scholar-ship donated by the Allen family. It is presented to the junior or senior performer designated by the adjudicator for consistently high standards in a body of work.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded (Monetary Award Transferred to Fiddle Award)
Most Outstanding String Ensemble/Orchestra
This award, which consists of an engraved plaque donated by the Lau family and a $100 scholarship donated by Cochrane’s Pharmasave, is presented to a junior or senior string ensemble designated by the adjudicator for an outstanding performance.
2023: Not Awarded
Fiddle Awards
The adjudicator selects winners for the junior, intermediate and senior fiddle trophies from amongst all qualifying solo entries.
2023 Winner: Chloe Mosher (Junior)
Kings Fiddlers Junior Scholarship
This award of $100 is sponsored by the Kings Fiddlers, in conjunction with the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and is presented to the most outstanding fiddle performer nominated by the adjudicator.
2023 Winner: Chloe Mosher
Guitar Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior and senior guitar trophies from among qualifying solo entries.
Most Outstanding Guitar
This award is a scholarship of $100 sponsored by Camile Herbin. It is presented to the junior or senior performer designated by the adjudicator for high standards in a body of work.
2023: Not Awarded
Organ Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior and senior organ awards from amongst qualifying solo entries.
2023: Not Awarded
The Junior Hymn Playing aware is sponsored by Deborah Rice. The winner received a a scholarship for $75.
2023: Not Awarded
Provincial Nominations
As a member of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley Music Festival may send junior and senior entries to the Provincial Music Festival in the categories of piano, voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, guitar, chamber group, musical theatre, as well as for choral classes. It is the responsibility of the adjudicators to select nominees.
Provincial Nominees for 2023:
Senior Musical Theatre – Cassie Mercurio
Senior Voice – Cassie Mercurio
Junior Piano – Shiphrah Chan
The Annapolis Valley Music Festival is pleased to have its trophies on permanent display in the lobby of Denton Hall, Acadia University. These trophies, engraved with the names and dates, chronicle the contributions made by competitors in their quest for excellence. The Board sincerely thanks the Acadia School of Music for their consideration in facilitating the display of the trophies in Denton Hall.
There are numerous awards and trophies sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and its patrons which are given each year to performers chosen by the adjudicators for their outstanding work. These prizes are presented at the “Stars of the Festival” concerts where honorees are invited to perform their winning selections.
Additional awards are available from time to time depending on sponsorship in any given year. When there is extra availability, these additional monetary prizes are also awarded at the adjudicators’ discretion.
The Herbin Bowl
This award is an engraved silver cup and $150, donated by Herbin Jewellers, for the Best Overall Junior Performer. All junior entrants who participate in five or more solo classes in two or more disciplines are eligible. Each qualifying junior is identified before the festival opens, and his/her/their progress is followed throughout the festival. A final decision is made based on recommendations from each adjudicator in conjunction with the record of participation and achievement overall.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Acadia University Rose Bowl
Mary Montgomerie Award
This award is an engraved bowl given annually to the Most Outstanding Performer in any one discipline who has achieved the highest average marks in three or more solo classes. It is donated by the Acadia University School of Music. A scholarship of $100 - the “Mary Montgomerie Award”, donated by John Montgomerie, accompanies the Rose Bowl.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Founders Bowl
New in 2023 we are delighted to be able to present the “Founders Bowl” which honours Annapolis Valley Music Festival founders Hetty Jackson and Marlene Jackson.
This award is an engraved crystal cup and $150, donated by Misty Banyard-Kelley and Scott Kelley in memory of Murna McNamara, for the Best Overall Senior Performer. All senior entrants who participate in three or more solo classes in two or more disciplines are eligible. Each qualifying student is identified before the festival opens, and his/her/their progress is followed throughout the festival. A final decision is made based on recommendations from each adjudicator in conjunction with the record of participation and achievement overall.
2023 Winner Cassie Mercurio
Piano Awards
The Sandra Wilson Awards
Four awards in junior piano, collectively known as the “Sandra Wilson Awards” were established by her family in order to honour her long service to music in the Valley, and to showcase her dedication to bringing the joy of music performance to students.
Baroque: Olivia Boudreau
Classical: Bria Hurlbut
Light Side: Simon Comeau
Romantic/Contemporary: Shiphrah Chan
Most Outstanding Pianist
This award is an engraved plaque and a $100 scholarship, sponsored by Wendy LaPierre. The adjudicator selects the entrant who has shown the highest level of skill and musicianship in a varied body of work, either junior or senior. It may be given in addition to, or in place of, a trophy.
2023 Winner: Benjamin Woo
The Hester Jackson Baroque Awards
This award was initiated by the late Hester Jackson, one of our festival founders, and has been continued in her memory. It consists of an engraved shield and a scholarship of $50,donated by Hermann Brunner, to recognize excellence in baroque piano performance.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Lynn Murray Memorial Awards
These two awards of $50 each are given by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival in memory of Lynn Murray. They are designated for deserving students as follows: Introductory to Grade 4 piano and Grade 5 to Grade 8 piano.
2023 Winners:
Simon Comeau (Intro to Gr. 4)
Nathan Woo(Grade 5-8)
The Lorri Dunn Music Studio: Piano Excellence Award
This award, accompanied by a $25 monetary prize, is awarded to the piano student showing the most promise and highest level of achievement in three or more piano classes, excluding a concert group.
2023 Winner: Shiphrah Chan
Vocal Awards
Most Outstanding Vocalist
This award is an engraved plaque, sponsored by the Valley Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and is accompanied by the “Evenden Herman Scholarship” of $100. The adjudicator may select a junior or senior entrant who has fulfilled the requirements for a major award.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Musical Theatre Awards
Solo and duet/ensemble awards are also awarded in musical theatre.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Musical Theatre Junior Scholarship
Shiretown Singers, in partnership with Centre Stage Theatre, offer a one week Drama camp experience during the summer or March Break at Centre Stage Theatre.
2023 Winner: Lydia Wang
Most Outstanding Musical Theatre Performance
This award is a trophy and a $100 scholarship, sponsored by John & Lana Churchill. The adjudicator will select an entrant who has shown the highest level of skill and musicianship in the musical theatre genre.
2023 Winner: Cassie Mercurio
Choral Shields
The adjudicator selects winners in six categories from our choral catergories:
The Canadian Federation of University Women/Wolfville Branch Plaque is presented to the highest elementary choir.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Intermediate/Senior
Shield is presented to the highest intermediate/senior school or community choir.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The winner of the King’s Chorale Plaque is drawn from school entries and is awarded to the choir who has shown high musical skill and presentation skills to the adjudicator.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Male Ensemble Plaque and $100 scholarship, sponsored by the Kentville Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBQSA), is presented to a male quartet, male chorus, senior mixed choir or senior chorus.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
The Community and Church Choir Trophy is donated by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival Board in memory of Nancy Fraser. It is accompanied by a scholarship of $100 donated by the Harris Family.
2023 Winner: Valley Voices (Chapter of Harmony Inc.)
The Dr. Paul E. Kinsman Shield is presented to the Most Outstanding Choir of the festival. This was accompanied by a $100 scholarship donated by family and friends.
2023 Winner: Valley Voices (Chapter of Harmony Inc.)
Instrumental and Band Awards
Awards are given for both solo woodwinds and solo brass, at the discretion of the adjudicators. Engraved shields are awarded by the adjudicator in four categories. These shields are accompanied by gift certificates donated by Long & McQuade.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Most Outstanding Instrumentalist
The Touch of Brass Plaque is sponsored by Touch of Brass and is accompanied by a $100 scholarship presented by Rev. Robert Wallace in memory of Gwynneth Wallace. The adjudicator may select a winner from among junior or senior solo performers.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
Band Shields
Engraved shields are awarded by the adjudicator in four categories: highest elementary/junior band, highest intermediate concert band, highest senior concert band, and highest stage band. These shields are accompanied by gift certificates donated by Long & McQuade for each category.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
The Honour Band Award, which is accompanied by a $150 scholarship donated by John and Janet Trites, is presented to an Honour Band which is made up of players who have been auditioned, been invited, or have been selected from more than one school.
2023 Winner: Not Awarded
String Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior, intermediate and senior/open trophies from among qualifying solo entries.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Chamber Ensemble
Awards may be given in both junior and senior categories to chamber ensembles at the discretion of the adjudicator.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded
Most Outstanding String Player
This award consists of an engraved plaque sponsored by the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and a $100 scholar-ship donated by the Allen family. It is presented to the junior or senior performer designated by the adjudicator for consistently high standards in a body of work.
2023 Winners: Not Awarded (Monetary Award Transferred to Fiddle Award)
Most Outstanding String Ensemble/Orchestra
This award, which consists of an engraved plaque donated by the Lau family and a $100 scholarship donated by Cochrane’s Pharmasave, is presented to a junior or senior string ensemble designated by the adjudicator for an outstanding performance.
2023: Not Awarded
Fiddle Awards
The adjudicator selects winners for the junior, intermediate and senior fiddle trophies from amongst all qualifying solo entries.
2023 Winner: Chloe Mosher (Junior)
Kings Fiddlers Junior Scholarship
This award of $100 is sponsored by the Kings Fiddlers, in conjunction with the Annapolis Valley Music Festival and is presented to the most outstanding fiddle performer nominated by the adjudicator.
2023 Winner: Chloe Mosher
Guitar Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior and senior guitar trophies from among qualifying solo entries.
Most Outstanding Guitar
This award is a scholarship of $100 sponsored by Camile Herbin. It is presented to the junior or senior performer designated by the adjudicator for high standards in a body of work.
2023: Not Awarded
Organ Awards
The adjudicator selects winners of the junior and senior organ awards from amongst qualifying solo entries.
2023: Not Awarded
The Junior Hymn Playing aware is sponsored by Deborah Rice. The winner received a a scholarship for $75.
2023: Not Awarded
Provincial Nominations
As a member of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley Music Festival may send junior and senior entries to the Provincial Music Festival in the categories of piano, voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, guitar, chamber group, musical theatre, as well as for choral classes. It is the responsibility of the adjudicators to select nominees.
Provincial Nominees for 2023:
Senior Musical Theatre – Cassie Mercurio
Senior Voice – Cassie Mercurio
Junior Piano – Shiphrah Chan
The Annapolis Valley Music Festival is pleased to have its trophies on permanent display in the lobby of Denton Hall, Acadia University. These trophies, engraved with the names and dates, chronicle the contributions made by competitors in their quest for excellence. The Board sincerely thanks the Acadia School of Music for their consideration in facilitating the display of the trophies in Denton Hall.
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