Orchestras Canada Betty Webster Award
Learn about past award winners here: Heather Wootton (2024) | Janna Sailor (2023) | Katia Makdissi-Warren (2022) | Linda Penner (2021) | Yannick Nézet-Séguin (2020) | Claire Guimond (2019) | Bramwell Tovey (2018) | Ardyth Brott (2017) | John Gomez (2016).
The 2025 Nomination Period is now OPEN!
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Orchestras Canada has just opened nominations for the 2025 Betty Webster Award, our way of recognizing outstanding contributions to the Canadian orchestral community.
Supporting and sustaining an orchestra in Canada in the 21st century is a collective, collaborative effort, involving both high-profile artistic leaders and a significant number of people working tirelessly on stage and behind the scenes to create the conditions in which Canadian orchestras can flourish.
The Award specifically honours an individual who has made an under-recognized but sustained and significant contribution to the community of Canadian orchestras through their work, be it paid or volunteer.
In 2025, the Award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated courage in their work on behalf of Canadian orchestras, their people (musicians, administration, patrons, supporters) and/or the communities they serve. Nomination packages should include examples of the nominee’s demonstrations of courage in their role: specifically, examples of a time or times when the nominee acted with bravery and high ethical standards despite dissent, discouragement, or the potential for negative personal consequences.
The Award includes a cash prize to be presented to the Canadian orchestra of the winner’s choice.
The nomination process is streamlined and simple. Just fill out the nomination form and send it to Lauren Drew ([email protected]) by Thursday, May 1, 2025, along with a biography of the nominee, letters of support, and a letter from the nominator outlining the qualifications of the nominee for this Award.
Please take a moment to reflect on the inspiring work being done by individuals and organizations in your community, and then take a few moments more to complete the nomination form. The Betty Webster Award is an excellent means of honouring our peers while advocating for orchestras in Canada.