2009 MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award recpients announced

Toronto, June 9, 2009 – MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, together with CTVglobemedia, announced 12 recipients of the 2009 MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award today in honour of their outstanding achievement in music and music industry programs. The accomplishments of the 12 Canadians were showcased and celebrated at a special award ceremony at CTV.

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The 2009 MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award winners are: Capilano University, Vancouver, BC Evan Arntzen Fanshawe College, London, ON Jeff Burling Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, AB Matthew White Harris Institute, Toronto, ON Ashley Sperling Humber College, Toronto, ON Chris Virtue Musitechnic, Montreal, QC Joël Poitras Gagnon Red Deer College, Red Deer, AB Nich Davies Selkirk College, Nelson, BC Thomas Samulak St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS Martin Davidson The Art Institute of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC Erik Olson The Banff Centre, Banff, AB Will Howie Trebas Institute, Toronto, ON Callum Campbell Named in honour of broadcasting pioneer, Fred Sherratt, the award recognizes and celebrates the academic excellence, talent and superior leadership skills of graduating students selected from music and recording arts and sciences programs across Canada. “I am delighted to present these Awards, and commend the recipients on their achievements,” remarked Fred Sherratt. “It is a pleasure to have met a group of exceptional graduates who are so passionate about music and the music industry. They truly represent the future of Canadian music.” Each recipient will receive $3,500, a trip to Toronto and an educational day at MuchMusic and CHUM Radio. “We have an incredibly diverse line-up of talented recipients, all of whom are about to become contributors to the Canadian music landscape,” said Srinka Wallia, Executive Director, MusiCounts. “We thank CTVglobemedia for their generous contribution and continued support of our efforts in nurturing talent and helping build music industry leaders of tomorrow.” About the 2009 MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award Recipients Evan Arntzen – Capilano University – Vancouver, BC Evan has played in the “A” band for five years as first tenor in the Jazz Program at Capilano University. He has also performed, recorded and toured extensively with some of Canada’s brightest young jazz talents. His superior talent and undeniable stage presence won him the Fraser MacPherson Music Scholarship and he was selected to take part in a series of concerts produced by CBC entitled “Still Crazy After All That Jazz.” Jeff Burling – Fanshawe College – London, ON Described as having exceptional people skills and a keen sense of focus and leadership, it is no surprise that Jeff finished in the top two of the entire Music Industry Arts Program at Fanshawe College. He was the college’s Vice President of Entertainment and one of four Fanshawe Student Union representatives for Music Industry Arts. Matthew White – Grant MacEwan College – Edmonton, AB Matthew possesses superior leadership skills and a style that is described as clear, consistent and communicative. A graduate of the Music Performance Program, he is often seen as a leader by his peers at Grant McEwan college because of his advanced skills. His record of academic achievement is outstanding. Ashley Sperling – Harris Institute – Toronto, ON Ashley is a top honours graduate of the Recording Arts Management program at the Harris Institute for the Arts. Coupled with strong academic achievement, Ashley has contributed to student life, and continues to support the school through representation at prominent events like Canadian Music Week. She is currently the Digital eMarketing Rep at Universal Music Canada. Chris Virtue – Humber College – Toronto, ON Chris is a well-rounded Music Program graduate with a strong academic background and outstanding leadership skills, which he put into action as a mentor to many young bassists. As a dedicated and extremely talented jazz bassist, Chris was Bass Chair of two of the most prestigious ensembles in the school. Joël Poitras Gagnon – Musitechnic – Montréal, QC Joël is an exceptional artist with diverse talents honed at Musitechnic. He is known as a composer, producer, and established DJ in Québec City, and exercises superior skills in each field. Involved in numerous activities, Joël also excelled academically and acted as a leader for his peers. Nich Davies – Red Deer College – Red Deer, AB Nich is an excellent composer and percussionist, and a graduate of the Music Diploma Program at Red Deer College. His diverse talent and experience is apparent through his compositions and performances in many different settings and styles including percussion ensembles, jazz combos, big bands, modern rock and funk groups and solo work. Thomas Samulak – Selkirk College – Nelson, BC At Selkirk College, Thomas was a straight ‘A’ student and a top performer of the Music Program displaying his superior guitar skills. His teacher describes him as one of the best students that he has worked with in the past 10 years. Dedicated and focused, Thomas constantly strives for excellence. Martin Davidson – St. Francis Xavier University – Antigonish, NS Martin was given a glowing recommendation as the best saxophonist St. Francis Xavier University has had in eight years by far! He consistently ranked in the top three of his class, and acted as a strong role model to younger students. Erik Olson – The Art Institute of Vancouver – Vancouver, BC Erik is described as an inspiration to fellow students and faculty alike. In the Music Program at The Art Institute of Vancouver, Erik performed exceptionally well academically while further developing his skills as a pianist and composer. He was a mentor to other students throughout his program, and is now working for the school as a lab instructor in the audio programs. Will Howie – The Banff Centre – Banff, AB Will has just received a diploma from the Audio Program at the Banff Centre after completing his Master’s in Music in Sound at McGill. His hard work and dedication have paid off and show in his various talents. He has a great amount of technical expertise and his recording, mixing and editing skills are exceptional. Described as extremely passionate, he is recognized for routinely producing high-quality work. Callum Campbell – Trebas Institute – Toronto, ON Callum graduated Summa Cum Laude in the Entertainment Management Program at Trebas Insitute. He demonstrates strong leadership skills that he has been able to put into practice, including playing a major role in organizing a charity benefit concert. His passion for music, combined with academic and practical excellence, has secured him an internship at Wind-Up Records.

About Fred Sherratt

Broadcasting pioneer Fred Sherratt was instrumental in building CHUM Limited into one of Canada's leading media companies. In 1993, he received the Ted Rogers Senior/Velma Rogers Graham Award for his “pioneering spirit and contribution to the broadcasting System”. In 1995, Sherratt was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Hall of Fame, and in 2008, received the Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honoured by CARAS with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award earlier this year.

About MusiCounts

MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, continues to inspire young Canadians across the country through its mandate to ensure that every student has the opportunity to receive quality music education, develop their talent and build self-esteem. MusiCounts provides grants, fosters new music programs and awards scholarships to thousands of young, aspiring musicians throughout Canada. Since the Program’s establishment in 1997, over $3 million has been donated impacting close to 200,000 students, their schools and communities from coast to coast. MusiCounts has also honoured four extraordinary music teachers through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. MusiCounts is grateful for the enormous and invaluable support of Canadian musicians, the music industry and its corporate partners. To learn more, please visit [url=http://www.musicounts.ca]http://www.musicounts.ca[/url] .

About CTVglobemedia

CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multimedia company with ownership of CTV, Canada’s #1 television network, and The Globe and Mail, Canada’s #1 national newspaper. CTV Inc. owns and operates 27 conventional stations across the country, with interests in 32 specialty channels, including Canada’s #1 specialty channel, TSN. CTVglobemedia also owns the CHUM Radio Division, which operates 34 radio stations throughout Canada, including CHUM FM, Canada’s # 1 FM station. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and the Air Canada Centre; and an interest in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities.

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