Awards

OSYO Awards

OSYO Jean Grieve Award

Jean Grieve is a well-recognized name among the music community in Ontario. Since moving to Oakville in 1958, Jean has achieved the recognition of an institution within the world of string education in Halton and surrounding areas. She was the central figure in the establishment of Oakville Suzuki Association at a time when there were minimal opportunities to create string music.

Jean has been instrumental in giving life to what today is the OSYO. Since 1974, the orchestra has thrived under her guidance- starting out as the Oakville Youth Orchestra, then Sheridan Youth Symphony, Halton Youth Symphony, Halton Mississauga Youth Orchestra, and finally the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra. It all began with a group of 12 string players in the basement of the chapel at Appleby College, only to grow to a Symphony in 1979. Under Jean’s direction, the orchestra moved from rehearsing at Appleby to St. Mildred’s, followed by St. Joseph’s Portuguese Roman Catholic Church, Queen Elizabeth School, to its current rehearsal space at King’s Christian Collegiate. The OSYO continues to grow with her patronage to our current strength of over 150 musicians making wonderful music in four distinguished ensembles.

To acknowledge and celebrate Jean’s contributions, the OSYO has established the Jean Grieve Award to recognize the importance of music education to our y0ung musicians. The annual award typically comprises of a token cash component and tickets to a concert performed by a professional orchestra. Jean Grieve continues to promote the inculcation and ongoing growth of music among youth. The contents of the award seeks to embody this spirit.

This musician would have demonstrated inspiring initiative towards learning and developing their musical talent. Their passion for music and ingrained positivity would have created an atmosphere prompting fellow musicians to seek the award recipient’s guidance in honing their musical talents.

Eligibility

• Current Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (Philharmonia or Sinfonia) musician.
• Recipients can only receive award once during OSYO membership.

Decision Committee

• OSYO conductors
• 2 board members

OSYO Builders Award in Memory of Colin Litton

Colin Litton was a long-standing director on the Board of the Oakville Symphony (OS) before his passing in December 2020. Colin had an illustrious career in finance and accounting, including the appointment as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Professional Accountants. He was a retired partner and National Director of KPMG’s Banking and Finance Practice.   Colin also served in various roles on many boards, including the Oakville Symphony.  He was instrumental in framing the strategy of OS including the purpose driven and thoughtful affiliation with the OSYO. Colin was known to be an innovator and builder, contributing significantly to the long-term sustainability and growth of both the Oakville Symphony and the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra.

To recognize Colin’s contributions, OS and OSYO established an award to recognize the importance of youth and music. With the generous contributions from board directors of both the OS and OSYO, the OSYO is pleased to offer an annual cash award of $250 to an existing and continuing Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO) musician.  This musician will demonstrate initiative within our community (inside and outside the OSYO) and display creativity in these efforts.  Overall, the deserving musician will have demonstrated characteristics which show that you are a true “OSYO champion.”

Eligibility

• Current Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (Symphony or Youth Band) musician.
• Recipients can only receive award once during OSYO membership.

Decision Committee

• OSYO conductors
• 2 board members

2022-23 Colin Litton and Jean Grieve Award Winners

Bursaries

OSYO offers financial assistance to young musicians who require budget support in order to continue participating in the OSYO.

How do OSYO musicians apply for financial assistance?

The application for financial assistance is separate from the application and audition processes of the OSYO. Candidates who would like to apply for financial assistance must complete and submit the Financial Aid application form below.

All financial assistance applications must be submitted no later than September 30th to be considered for the coming music year.

If one of the musicians that would benefit from a partial bursary is over the age of 10, please include with the bursary application a paragraph (written by the musician) on what they have gained (or hope to gain) from participation in the OSYO this year.

How is financial assistance eligibility determined?

Financial assistance is offered on the basis of the family need. This includes, but is not limited to, the gross family income, information about dependents, and standing with OSYO. There are no predetermined levels or ranges used to determine financial assistance eligibility because many other factors impact on financial assistance eligibility beyond family income and dependent children. We understand that there may be family considerations that do not translate well in numbers.

When and how are decisions made?

The OSYO Financial Assistance Review Committee makes all decisions about the actual amounts of assistance offered. Applications for financial assistance are reviewed and evaluated independently from admission applications.

All candidates will receive the notification of decision (ie approval or rejection) by October 15th.

Should a family’s situation changes during the music year that requires financial assistance, please contact office@osyo.ca to discuss the situation further. The committee will consider exceptions based on individual circumstances.

Other Terms:

• Financial assistance is provided for the current music year and cannot be carried forward to the next music year. Candidates need to re-apply every year.
• Information provided during this application process is solely used for the financial assistance evaluation, will be kept confidential within the committee, and will not be used for other purposes.