The Richard G. Manuel Music Award at Western University

Created in collaboration with Joshua Manuel, to honour his father Richard Manuel (the immensely talented vocalist and keyboardist with the iconic Canadian rock group The Band),  The Richard G. Manuel Music Award at Western University goes annually to a well deserving performance music student at The Don Wright Faculty of Music. The award is supported by the fans of live music, London and area businesses, the Manuel family, local musicians and legendary ones like Chuck Leavell of The Rolling Stones,  Sting, and Juno award winning blues guitarist Steve Strongman and Canadian songstress Dayna Manning. Playwright GW Grainger helped create the award and also supports the annual scholarship. We were extremely grateful and honoured to have had the support of late, Janis Joplin guitarist John Till who was a dear friend and bandmate of Richard Manuel during their teen years in Stratford, Ontario. Those who wish to donate directly to the award may do so at the following link of Western University:

www.westernconnect.ca/manuel

Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Brock was a third year guitarist at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the time the award was given and we were excited to showcase his talents during the performance of the play Manuel in 2016.

Caelyn was a second year vocalist at the time the award was given and she kindly offered her vocal talents to sing songs by The Band at the 2017 special annual concert to help support the  award further.  

Andrew Kosty plays the upright bass and he was in his 3rd year at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the time the award was given.  Andrew also enjoys playing in a number of rock bands. 

Robert Hutson from London, Ontario is a vocalist and he plays the bassoon!  Robert was in his third year at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the time the award was given.  

Devin Howe was a 4th year music student at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University at the time the award was given and he's from London, ON.  Devin plays the saxophone in many styles

Andrew hails from the Windsor, Ontario area and at the time of receiving the award, he was in his 3rd year of music performance studies, with a focus on percussion.  Andrew plans on pursuing a masters degree and perhaps a doctoral following his undergraduate studies at Western University.  Andrew's goal is to teach marching percussion and he has performed with some of the world's most prestigious marching and bugle corps already.

At the time of receiving the award, Tyrese was a 4th year voice performance student. He was the Choir Counsel President and a member of the University Singers.  Hailing from Brampton, Ontario Tyrese also works extensively with young people in Toronto and encourages them to get involved in choir singing.  Tyrese intends to pursue a Masters in music and perhaps a Doctoral following graduation.  

Originally from Slovenia, Andrea calls London, Ontario home now and at the time of writing is enrolled in Year 3 of Music Studies at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University.  Andrea plays bassoon and the harp!  Andrea may pursue a Masters degree in Music following graduation.  

 Madeline is a classical guitar student now in her 4th year of music studies and she has played since she was 12, and first started by playing heavy metal! Madeline was also recently named as one of CBC radio's top Canadian classical players under 30. 

Way to go Madeline! And thanks to everyone who supports the scholarship!