Memorial’s School of Music has long served as a talent incubator for Newfoundland and Labrador’s prolific music community.

It’s no surprise, then, that the recent East Coast Music Awards were full of people with connections to the school. The Atlantic Canada music association’s annual celebrations and awards ceremony took place April 8-12 in St. John’s, N.L.

“I’m delighted by the success of so many School of Music alumni at the recent East Coast Music Awards because it demonstrates that we’re preparing students for success in a wide range of contemporary music contexts” said Ellen Waterman, dean, School of Music. “In large part, that’s due to the inspiring example of faculty like Rob Power and Tom Gordon.”

Dr. Tom Gordon, professor emeritus and former director of the School of Music, was honoured with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes an individual or individuals who have had a profound and lasting effect on the Atlantic Canadian Music Industry.

Rob Power, an associate professor of percussion and an alumnus of the school, won for Best Classical Composition for his percussion piece Touch. Mr. Power’s album of the same name was also nominated for Best Classical Album. 

Folk trio The Once took home the Best Folk Album award and indie rockers Hey Rosetta! nabbed the Best Song award. Both groups have close ties to the School of Music: Andrew Dale of The Once and Josh Ward, Romesh Thavanathan and Mara Pellerin of Hey Rosetta! are alumni of the school. 

The school regularly collaborates with The Once. For example, the MUN Chamber Choir performed with the band at the 2014 Gros Morne Summer Music Festival and their subsequent Christmas concert in St. John’s. 

Steve Maloney, nominated for Rising Star Recording of the Year, is a 2013 alumnus. 

And, last but not least, Dwayne Andrews, who was nominated for Roots/Traditional Music Recording of the Year, is currently pursuing his master of music degree in conducting at the School of Music.