Musicnl industry award winners announced
Tony Murray was named the Stewart Mckelvrey industry professional of the year Sunday during Music NL’S industry awards ceremony in the Foran Greene Room at St. John’s City Hall.
“It’s very humbling because there’s a lot of very talented industry people in this province,” Murray told The Telegram.
Murray, whose career in music began in the mid-1980s, produced numerous concerts, shows and festivals throughout Eastern Canada. He also produced and directed a variety of corporate, charitable and specialty events.
He is currently in pre-production to produce, direct and write the 2020 ECMA awards show, set for Mile One Centre in St. John’s on April 30.
The Ship Pub in downtown St. John’s, where Murray manages the entertainment, was selected venue of the year. It has seen some of Canada’s most celebrated musicians perform, as well as many talented emerging musicians. It’s hosted many other cultural events and fundraisers. It was recently chosen one of the Top 10 music venues in the country by Canadian Beats Magazine.
Korona Brophy was the winner of the Long & Mcquade music educator of the year award. A 43-year veteran, Brophy is a music education instructor at Memorial University, choral director at several schools, a church volunteer and founder of the world-renowned Celtic Fiddlers. Having worked with and trained many performers, she has travelled around the world with various groups to festivals, concerts and other prestigious events.
Jerry Stamp won the graphic artist of the year award.
Specializing in photography, typography, layout and image manipulation, Stamp has designed album artwork and promotional pieces for various genres of music.
The 43rd annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival was chosen event of the year, while The Citadel House was selected the outstanding company of the year and Colleen Power of CHMR 93.5 FM picked up the Ray Agency media person of the year award.
Gary Graham was posthumously awarded Musicnl’s lifetime achievement award. His award was accepted by Fraser Loveys.
Graham, a Corner Brook-based music teacher, who Musicnl described as a “mentor extraordinaire,” died last June.
Originally from Nova Scotia, Graham moved to Corner Brook in 1966 and taught in many of the city’s schools. After retiring in 1998, he continued to teach privately, working with musical theatre and choral programs. The performing arts division of Gros Morne Summer Music was established and named for Graham, who also served as chairman of Gros Morne Summer Music.