Lady Cove Awards Annual Bursary
Lady Cove Women's Choir awarded its third annual Lady Cove Bursary Award on Saturday, June 5, at the choir's sold-out 2010 SummerSong concert held at the CLB Armoury in St. John's.
The bursary was presented to Timothy Brennan, a 16- year-old honours student who is completing Grade 11 at St. Bonaventure's College in St. John's.
The Lady Cove Bursary Award is given annually to a developing musician of Newfoundland and Labrador in support of his/her musical education or performance activity. The $1,000 prize is part of the choir's mentorship initiatives and is open to musicians between the ages of 15 to 20.
“When I learned that I was this year's winner of the Lady Cove Women's Choir Bursary I was both surprised and honoured to have been chosen,” Timothy said. “I was very appreciative of the fact that I was chosen, as I was told that there were other excellent musicians who had applied.
“I have used part of this bursary towards my recent participation in the Musicfest Canada's National Concert Band in Ottawa and I will be using the remaining amount towards my tuition for the Young Artist Program at the Tuckamore Festival in August 2010.”
“Lady Cove Women's Choir established the bursary program as one way of supporting youth and the broader musical community,” said Kellie Walsh,
artistic director of Lady Cove. “Most of us can recall the support we received financial and otherwise when we were young and which helped us succeed. I think we are all genuinely touched by how critical such support and encouragement can be for a person who is starting to develop their musical paths in earnest. We received a high number of very strong applicants this year from around the province and Timothy’s emerged as the top choice of the selection committee.”
“Winning this bursary has definitely assisted me in my musical endeavors for this year,” Timothy noted underscoring the artistic director's point. “It's great to be acknowledged by such a prestigious group of musicians. It's great that Lady Cove Women's Choir recognizes the need to award and assist young musicians, as music requires much work and dedication. It's an honour to have one's work appreciated and rewarded in this way.”
Timothy also thanked Lady Cove Women's Choir for having the bursary program and for assisting young musicians in their musical pursuits. He also thanked his music teachers who helped him in his musical development. Timothy performed at the SummerSong Concert and he noted that this was an opportunity that he'll always remember.
About Timothy Brennan
Timothy Brennan is a 16- year-old honours student who is completing Grade 11 at St. Bonaventure‚s College. Timothy has completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 piano examination with first class honours and is presently working towards his A.R.C.T. in piano performance. He is an active member of his school’s music program as he sings, plays piano, euphonium and valve trombone in various school ensembles. As well, Timothy is the principal second violinist with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra. Timothy studied piano privately with Barbara Clarke for seven years and he is currently a student of Timothy Steeves. He was accepted as a Young Artist at the 2009 Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival and will be returning to this festival again in August of this year. Timothy participates regularly in the Kiwanis Music Festival and he was a runner-up in this year’s Junior Rose Bowl competition. He was also the senior winner of this year’s scholarship recital which is hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Registered Music Teachers Association. He has traveled with his school groups to compete in music festivals in Halifax, Florida, and California. Just recently, he traveled to Ottawa to play euphonium with the MusicFest National Concert Band.
