Violet Archer Lifetime Achievement Award 

  • Quenten Doolittle (2017): For his work as a composer and educator, for his role as co-founder of New Works of Art Calgary, and for his roles with the Canadian Music Centre as Prairie Regional Chairman and National Board member.
  • Bob McPhee, C.M. (2019): For his support and commissioning of Canadian composers in his longstanding role as General Director of Calgary Opera.
  • Rich Mercer (2019): For his longstanding interest in and support of contemporary music, and for his roles with the Canadian Music Centre as Prairie Regional Chairman and National Board member.
  • Isabelle Mills (2019): For her continued support of Canadian composers through church and college choirs, which she directed in Brandon, Manitoba and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as well as her work as Associate Dean at the University of Saskatchewan.
  • Gladys Odegard (2022): Long-time Edmonton piano teacher, co-founder of Edmonton Contemporary Showcase, long time chair of the CMC Praire Region council and friend of composer Violet Archer. Now living in Toronto.
  • Roberta Stephen (2019): For her work as a composer, music publisher, and as a leader with Contemporary Showcase.
Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Award of Excellence 
  • Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (2018): For its longstanding commitment to Canadian music through the Winnipeg New Music Festival.
  • Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (2019): For its ongoing contributions to Canadian music.
  • Edmonton Symphony (2023): For its longstanding commitment to the programming and commissioning of the music of Canadian composers.
  • Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (2024): For its longstanding commitment to the programming and commissioning of the music of Canadian composers.

Nominate your Heroes of the CMC below!

CMC Prairie Region Awards of Excellence Nomination Form

Celebrate the extraordinary contribution of composers, artists, and educators in our community!

Nominate yourself or a deserving ensemble/individual for a CMC Prairie Region Award of Excellence!

Nominations are open in the following categories:

  • Individual Artist/Composer
  • Ensembles, Organizations, and Collectives
  • Educators/Educational ensemble

Nominations are due Nov. 30th, 2025

Violet Archer Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Open to individuals who have contributed over their career in a profound way to the Canadian music scene.
  • Open to established individual artists/composers/music creatives that are active in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.

Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Award of Excellence: Ensembles, Organizations, and Collectives

  • Open to ensembles, organizations, and collectives that are active in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.
  • Nominees demonstrate an active and ongoing commitment to the promotion of Canadian music in the CMC Prairie Region and have a proven track record of creative output.
  • Demonstrate extraordinary qualities and contribution to their musical community.

Future Sounds: Award for Music Educators/Student ensembles

  • Nominations for extraordinary educators and/or educational/student ensembles that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the performance of Canadian Music that are active in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.

The Prairie Resonance Award for Individual Artists and Composers

  • Open to individual artists/composers/music creatives of any career stage that are active in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.
  • Recognizing extraordinary individuals that are creating waves on the Canadian music scene.

NOMINATE HERE