Awards and Recognition

The Award of Distinction is presented at the association's annual general meeting. The award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to music education in Manitoba. A committee, consisting of a chairperson from the Executive and two other Board members select the recipient. MBA members are encouraged to complete a nomination form and send to: MBA Award of Distinction, 15 Pinecrest Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2G 1W2 or mbband@shaw.ca. Nomination deadline - June 15.

An Outstanding Administrator is recognized at the MBA's annual general meeting. The award honours a current school administrator (Principal, Vice-Principal, Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent) who has made an outstanding contribution to music education in Manitoba. A committee, consisting of a chairperson from the Executive and two other Board members select the recipient. MBA members are encouraged to complete a nomination form and send to: MBA Award of Distinction, 15 Pinecrest Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2G 1W2 or mbband@shaw.ca. Nomination deadline - June 15.

2005 - Patt Roberts, Vice Principal, Charleswood Junior High School
2006 - Jim Tomes, Principal, Lincoln Middle School
2007 - Blaine Veitch, Superintendent, Flin Flon School Division
2008 - Terry Borys, Superintendent, Louis Riel School Division
2009 - Rick Martin, Principal, Vincent Massey Collegiate
2010 - Mark Keown, Principal, Virden Junior High School
2011 - Walter Itson, Vice Principal, R. D. Parker Collegiate
2012 - John Karras, Principal, Fort Richmond Collegiate

An Honourary Membership is conferred by the Board upon those who have rendered notable service to the MBA or to the advancement of band in Manitoba. Recipients have included Bob Corbett (d), George Douglas (d), and Don Green.

The Long Service Award recognizes those MBA members who have taught band in Manitoba schools for 20 years. This award is presented at the MBA Annual General Meeting.

1998 - Mark Christianson, Flavio Cianflone, Fred Paul Merrett, Jane Paulson, Gary Pollard, Ross Shaver, Connie Turner
1999 - Orvin Anderson, Tim Lawson, Jim Mackay, Chris McConnell, Bob Miller, Judy Page, Eilene Paterson, Rod Wiedman
2000 - Rian Cooper, Eric Hemmerling, Carolyn Hudson, Jean Lawson, Vic Loewen, Ray McClelland, Carol Ross-Harms, Phil Winkless
2001 - Brent Campbell, Don Horbas, Blaine Workman
2002 - Ken Hudson, Bill Kristjanson, Marlene Stephen, Mark Waldera, Donna Wyryha
2003 - Klaus Froese, Earl Isaak, Murray Lawrance, Paul Moen, Mario Viegas
2004 - Marilyn Bourbonnais, Barb Dowsett, Dwayne Schott, Bev Walker, Julie Husband, Doug Molnar, Grant Page
2005 - Paul Cerilli, Jo-Anne Gibson
2006 - Warren Hart, Nancy Horobetz, Eric Marshall
2007 - Phil Corrin, Janet Driver, Hubert Grenier, Virginia Helmer, Andrew Klassen, Jeff Kula, Robert Payne
2008 - Jerry Markley, Teresa Lee
2009 - Bev Betz, Doug Breckman, Dennis Dekleva, Paul Graham, Greg Kostyra, Brian Leclair, Lesley Meunier, Heather Penno, Janet Yochim
2010 - Patsy Andrews-Vert, Harold Epp, Joanne Karlowsky, D. Jay Oakes-Munro, Stewart Smith, Liana Rattai, Martyn Snell
2011 - Lynda Thompson, Trevor Uruski, Deborah Wallace
2012 - Colleen Chamberlin

Retirement Award - The contribution of MBA members who have recently retired is acknowledged at the Annual General Meeting.

Associated Manitoba Arts Festivals - The MBA donates $100 to the winner of the woodwind or brass class at the AMAF Provincial Finals. The festival features winners from AMAF's regional festivals. Past MBA scholarship winners include:

The International Music Camp awards a half scholarship to a member of each of the provincial Junior, Intermediate and Senior Honour bands. The recipients are chosen by random draw.

The Marlene Stephen Memorial Leadership Award is open to grade 12 students who exhibit strong leadership skills and contribute to the overall culture of the band program in their school and community.  Nominees must demonstrate strong organizational skills and a positive conviction about music and life as a whole.  Candidates will distinguish themselves by the volunteer time and effort they give to music and other activities in their school and community. MBA members are invited to submit a nomination by completing the application form and including a supporting statement (at least 400 words) outlining how the candidate meets the eligibility criteria. The $300 award will be presented at the MBA luncheon at the Manitoba Music Conference.  The award is to be used for private music instruction, tuition for a university music education or performance degree, or a purpose as proposed by the student and approved by the awards committee. Nomination deadline - September 30.

2010 - Heather Jonasson, Sturgeon Heights Collegiate
2011 - Tess Nesca, Fort Richmond Collegiate
2012 - Erin Leathers, Glenlawn Collegiate

National Youth Band members from Manitoba are eligible to apply to the MBA for financial assistance provided by the Manitoba Arts Council.