Award for Musical Excellence

• Program: Music
• Study Year: Grade 12
• Province: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island

Established in 1999, the Debut Atlantic Award for Musical Excellence is awarded annually to an Atlantic Canadian high school music student as chosen by a member of our distinguished alumni. The award recognizes talented youth who are committed to the serious study of music.

Each year’s winner receives a cash prize of $1,000.00 and is offered the opportunity to perform as a special guest at a Debut Atlantic concert. Other opportunities such as mentorship and concert attendance may be available depending on scheduling and availability. Previous additional performance opportunities have included PEI’s Indian River Festival‘s Annual Youth Legacy Concert and Été Musical De Barachois (New Brunswick).

Founded in 1979, Debut Atlantic is one of this country’s most dynamic classical music touring organizations. In fact, the ‘Debut Atlantic tour’ has evolved into a much coveted opportunity for Canada’s emerging classical musicians. The extensive list of artists waiting to be added to the touring roster and the calibre of our alumni is a testament to our success.

Debut Atlantic alumni are some of Canada’s most recognizable artists including pianists Jon Kimura Parker, Jan Lisiecki, and Angela Hewitt, cellist Denise Djokic, Canada’s finest baroque orchestra, Tafelmusik, and world-renowned singers Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Wendy Nielsen, and Measha Brueggergosman. Debut Atlantic has also worked with world-renowned writers Mordecai Richler, Michael Ondaatje, and Donna Morrissey.

Debut Atlantic receives over 75 submissions each year from outstanding Canadian artists interested in touring the Atlantic Region as a Debut Atlantic artist.  Through a lot of listening and much deliberation, the Artistic Selection Committee chooses five artists to make up the Debut Atlantic season. Each artist spends two weeks touring the region, bringing their talents to a variety of communities across Atlantic Canada.  Debut Atlantic covers all touring costs (artist travel, accommodations and per diem) making it affordable for presenters to bring amazing live performances to their communities.

In addition to its enormous success as a touring organization, Debut Atlantic continues to create and develop new programs and initiatives that contribute to Atlantic Canada’s cultural environment. More than a decade ago, Debut introduced its Encore series, featuring some of our most celebrated alumni.

In 1999, the Debut Atlantic Award for Musical Excellence was inaugurated and continues to award an annual $1,000 scholarship to a deserving high school music student from the Atlantic Region.  Education is a strategic focus for Debut Atlantic with over 4000 students a year experiencing a performance or workshop with a Debut Atlantic touring artist. Debut is excited to be working on an innovative strategy for education and engagement that will touch students at all levels as well as audience members and our artists.