Yannick Nézet-Séguin has won the Betty Webster Award from Orchestra Canada, an award that recognizes a person or organization that has made a sustained and significant contribution to the Canadian orchestral community. The award was created in 2002 in honour the founding Executive Director of Orchestras Canada.

“Dear musicians across Canada, I am deeply honoured to receive the Betty Webster Award from Orchestras Canada,” said Nézet-Séguin in a statement. “The Canadian orchestral scene abounds in talent and, while we are going through a rough patch these days, I am one of those who remain hopeful and believe we must stand together in the coming months. To the entire musical world, to musicians across the country, bravo and thank you for your many initiatives. It warms my heart to receive this honour.”

The prize includes a plaque as well as a donation to the orchestra chosen by the winner. Nézet-Séguin has requested that this year’s donation be directed to the Joseph-François Perrault School Symphony Orchestra.

The national jury was chaired by Jennifer MacDonald, OC Board member and director of artistic operations for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and included last year’s winner, Claire Guimond (flautist and founder / artistic director of Arion Baroque Orchestra, Montreal QC); Chris Lee (tuba, National Arts Center Orchestra); Eric Mathis (Director of Artistic Administration and Trombonist, Symphony Nova Scotia, Halifax NS); Leanne Miners (artistic director, North Bay ON); and Jeffrey Ryan (composer, Vancouver BC).

Nézet-Séguin follows Claire Guimond, from Arion Baroque Orchestra, who won the prize in 2019.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin can be seen conducting the Orchestre Métropolitain and a professional choir on December 6, as part of the Bach Festival. Full details [HERE].

Congratulations to Yannick Nézet-Séguin for this well-deserved honour!

With files from Caroline Rodgers.

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Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

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