Alberta Band Association Awards

The Alberta Band Association annually presents six awards, three of which are awarded to recipients who are nominated by our membership.

The deadline to nominate an outstanding colleague for the Vondis Miller Legacy Award the Keith Mann Young Band Director's Award and the Outstanding Jazz Educator Award is October 1.

Award Nomination Form

Elkhorn Band Director of the Year Award

The Elkhorn Award is an annual award presented by the ABA to an outstanding band director who has exemplified dedication and outstanding commitment and contribution to band music in Alberta. The Elkhorn Band Director of the Year Award recipient is chosen by former Elkhorn winners.

1974 - Keith Mann
1975 - Ralph Kennard
1976 - Mike Achtymichuk
1977 - Lervae Cahoon
1978 - Fordyce Pier
1979 - Robert Eklund
1980 - Vondis Miller
1981 - John Leonard
1982 - Dennis Prime
1983 - Rick Benson
1984 - Bill Wahl
1985 - Jerry Pokarney
1986 - Bob Brunelle
1987 - Brian Appleby
1988 - Tom Taylor
1989 - Harry Pinchin
1990 - Dennis Orr
1991 - Barry Valleau
1992 - Larry Schrum
1993 - Mike Sakatch
1994 - Rita Burns
1995 - Maureen Chauvet
1996 - Mike Townsend
1997 - Francis Dunnigan
1998 - Michael Eddy
1999 - Lyle Dewan

2000 - Mark Friesen
2001 - Raymond Baril
2002 - Roberta Baril | Patricia MacFarlane | Ken Rogers
2003 - Kim Hastings
2004 - Brian Thorlacius
2005 - Rob Speers
2006 - Kevin Willms
2007 - Earl Paddock
2008 - Roy Townend
2009 - Steve Sherman | Cecilia Grimstead
2010 - Tom Spila
2011 - Jayne Montgomery | Martin Kennedy
2012 - Richard Condon | Kathy Van Lare
2013 - Tom Saumer (posthumous)
2014 - Judy Wishloff
2015 - Bob Bailey 
2016 - Clarence Samuelson
2017 - Brent Pierce
2018 - Jennifer Mann
2019 - Kirk Wassmer
​2020 - Sarah Drew
​2021 - Lorelie Haydt
​2022 - Jace Stearn
2023 - Gail Hiley
​2024 - Nicole Haycock

Keith Mann Young Band Director Award

The Keith Mann Award is presented annually to an outstanding new band director with fewer than 6 years’ teaching experience in the province of Alberta. Created to honour the memory of Keith Mann, the recipient will demonstrate Keith’s enthusiasm and dedication to band music.

​2002 - Heather Biggin, Didsbury
2003 - Karen Tang, Peace River
2004 - Corrina Cormier, Morinville
2005 - Jeff Hiley, Calgary
2006 - Erin Bodnar, Red Deer
2007 - Ryan Heseltine, Lethbridge
2008 - Marty Majorowicz, Edmonton
2009 - Travis Conrad, Coaldale
​​2010 - Sara Huisman, Edmonton
2011 - Rebecca Meltzer, Calgary
​2012 - Samuel Yamamoto, Magrath
2013 - Lindsey Coulter, Edmonton

2014 - Jeff Bryant, Edmonton
2015 - Emily Ashcroft, Nanton
2016 - Brianne Gruber, Okotoks
2017 - Ellie Anderson, Spruce Grove
2018 - Kelly Spoering
2019 - Dylan Wiest, Calgary
​2020 - Stephen Fong, Edmonton
2021 - Sarah MacDonald, Red Deer
​2022 - Kendra Heslip, Edmonton
2023 - Sean Bumstead, Devon
2024 - Fred Mack, Edmonton

Vondis Miller Legacy Award

The Vondis Miller Legacy Award, which was created in memory of Vondis Miller, is a long-service award recognizing an individual who has devoted many years to sharing the joys of music-making with young people.

2004 - Tom Spila, Camrose
2005 - Doug Scales, Lethbridge
2006 - Arnold Pitcher, Cardston
2007 - Bill Wahl, Medicine Hat
2008 - Mike Townsend, Grande Prairie
2009 - Brian Thorlacius, Calgary
2010 - Rita Burns, Edmonton
​​2011 - Marlene Norquay, Edmonton
2012 - Earl Paddock, Calgary
​2013 - Rob Speers, Edmonton
2014 - Val Sherman, Red Deer

2015 - Frank Dunnigan, Edmonton
2016 - Roy Townend, Edmonton
2017 - Kathie Van Lare, Calgary
2018 - Arthur Milan, Edmonton
2019 - Wendy Grasdahl, Edmonton
​2020 - Colleen May, Calgary
2021 - Paul Gaudet, Edmonton
​2022 - Kirk Wassmer, Didsbury
​2023 - Jayne Montgomery Barnes, Edmonton
​2024 - Barry Valleau, Didsbury

Outstanding Jazz Educator Award

Created to celebrate the jazz idiom, this award recognizes outstanding mid to late career jazz educators who encourage and inspire musicians, teachers, and aficionados of any age and demonstrate a true passion for jazz be it as a performer, involvement in jazz organizations, or continued learning and development in the art as a performer or educator. ​

2021 - Ray Baril, Edmonton
​2022 - Jonathan Bell, Calgary
​2023 - Jay Michalak, Calgary
​2024 - Nathan Gingrich, Calgary

ABA Award of Distinction

The Award of Distinction is an annual award presented to an ABA member who has gone above and beyond in consistently demonstrating and supporting the ideals of the Alberta Band Association.

2015 - Neil Corlett, Red Deer
2016 - Joyce Howdle, Red Deer
2017 - Russ Chevalier, Edmonton
2018 - Quan Le (posthumous), Calgary
2019 - Don Closson, Calgary
2020 - Tricia Howe, Didsbury
​2021 - Roy Townend, Edmonton
​2022​ - Brendan Lord, Edmonton
​2023 - Kimberley Denis - Edmonton
2024 - Morgan Richardson - Edmonton

Honourary Lifetime Member Award

The Honorary Lifetime Member Award is presented annually to individuals who have been recognized for providing a significant period of years of continuous and extraordinary service promoting and developing the musical, educational, and cultural value of bands and band music in Alberta.

Biographies of Lifetime Members

2015 - Francis Edward Dunnigan
​2017 - Mike Achtymichuk | Michael Eddy | Barry Valleau | Bill Wahl
2018 - Roy Townend
2019 - Joyce Howdle
​2020 - Ken Rogers | Tom Taylor | Rita Burns | Martin Kennedy
2021 - Kathie Van Lare | ​Kim Hastings
​2022 - Tom Spila | Paul Sweet | Mark Ward
2023 - Larry Schrum | Brian Thorlacius | Glen Traquair
2024 - Carla Gust | Val Sherman