Beloved music educator
Beloved music educator and former Secretary/Treasurer and Chair of the Concert Band Division, Keith Mann died in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 61 on May 11, 2001. Keith was a tireless music advocate who inspired many of his students to consider careers in the music industry. Director of Bands at Red Deer College in Alberta, Mr. Mann served as a guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.
In Mr. Mann’s honour, MusicFest Canada and the NAC Orchestra provide a commemorative plaque and $500 cash award to a most outstanding concert band director.
2024 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Kirk Wassmer
Didsbury High School (Didsbury, AB)
2023 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Jennifer Mann
École Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School (Red Deer, AB)
2022 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Dan Austin
Guelph Collegiate & Vocational Institute (Guelph, ON)
2021 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Steve Dubinsky
Westwood High School (Hudson Heights, QC)
2019 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Marsha King
Nelson High School (Burlington, ON)
2018 AWARD RECIPIENT
2017 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Brian Vincent
Thomas A. Blakelock High School (Oakville, ON)
2016 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Stacey Mortenson-Spokes
Walter Murray Collegiate (Saskatoon, SK)
2015 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Kevin Hamlin
Collingwood Collegiate Institute (Collingwood, ON)
2014 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Cheryl Ferguson
Fort Richmond Collegiate Institute (Winnipeg, MB)
2013 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Greg Colley
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School (Markham, ON)
2012 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Madame Isabelle Brassard-Porter
École Secondaire Catholique Beatrice Des Loges (Ottawa, ON)
2011 AWARD RECIPIENT
- David Fullerton
- Semiahmoo Secondary School (White Rock, BC)
2010 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Jean-Francois Viens
École Secondaire Massey-Vanier (Cowansville, QC)
2009 AWARD RECIPIENT
- David Lum
Agincourt Collegiate Institute (Scarborough, ON)
2008 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Dennis Carpenter
Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute (Toronto, ON)
2007 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Greg Falls
Alberni District Secondary School (Port Alberni, BC)
2006 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Janine Webster
Sardis Secondary School (Chilliwack, BC)
2005 AWARD RECIPIENT
- David Stewart
Kwalikum Secondary School (Qualicum Beach, BC)
2004 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Carmella Luvisotto
Wellington Secondary School (Nanaimo, BC)
2003 AWARD RECIPIENT
- David Proznick
Semiahmoo Secondary School (Surrey, BC)
2002 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Colin Grunert
Estevan Comprehensive School (Estevan, SK)
IN HONOURARIUM
Beloved music educator and former Secretary/Treasurer and Chair of the Orchestra/Concert Band Division, Keith Mann died in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 61 on May 11, 2001. Keith was a tireless music advocate who inspired many of his students to consider careers in the music industry. Director of Bands at Red Deer College in Alberta, Mr. Mann served as a guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.
In addition to his executive positions with MusicFest Canada, Mr. Mann was a national officer and a Past President of the Canadian Band Association, founding Chair of the Canadian Concert Band Festival, and Music Director for Canadian Youth on Tour. He established the Canadian Band Journal, serving as its editor for the past twenty-two years, and helped initiate the National Youth Band of Canada in 1978. Mann was a past Chairman of the North American Band Directors Coordinating Council and was a voting member on the boards of the Canadian Music Centre, International Music Festivals, and the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Mr. Mann was serving as President for the NAMM Affiliated Music Business Institutions.
Awards to Mr. Mann’s credit include receiving the inaugural Band Director of the Year from the Alberta Band Association in 1974. In 1983, Mann was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Band Directors in the US and Canada by School Musician Magazine, as well as being listed in “Who’s Who in the Commonwealth”, “Making America Musical”, and other similar publications. Mann has been awarded the National Band Association Citation of Excellence for “an Outstanding Contribution to bands and band music”, the Sousa Order of Merit, the Canada Medal for “service to the nation,” WIBC’sPhoenix Award, Canada’s National Music Award, the Alberta Achievement Award, Phi Beta Mu’s David Peterkin Award in recognition of “an outstanding contribution to band”, and Canada’s Commemorative Medal, in recognition of “significant contribution to compatriots, community, and to Canada”.
More recently, Keith Mann was awarded the American Band Masters Association’s Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation “in Recognition of Distinguished Contributions in the Interests of Bands and Band Music in America”, and the Midwest Clinic’s International Award “in recognition of Outstanding contributions and Dedication to Instrumental Music Education”. Mr. Mann’s presence and guidance will be sorely missed.
