GCB Scholarships and Awards

In keeping with its dual mandate for community service and music education, the Gower Community Band offers a number of scholarships and awards to encourage and support students in their musical development, community service, and leadership.

A major community development fund to support scholarships for multi-disciplinary post-secondary education in universities or technical colleges to be awarded to students who have demonstrated significant commitment to community service and citizenship; as well as funding for Seniors’ Programs and other GCB community outreach initiatives in its mandate for community service and music education. Awards are determined annually by the GCB Scholarships and Awards Committee. Established in 2016 and maintained in loving memory of GCB Honorary Life Member Elizabeth Anthea Bonnell (1939-2016), whose devotion to the Gower Band program for 43 years and her indefatigable work in community service inspired generations of members and supporters. 

A $500 annual scholarship available to active GCB Members who have successfully completed first-year studies at Memorial University's School of Music and are continuing their work toward a degree in music. Established in 2013 as a Legacy Program of the GCB's "XL" (40th Anniversary) Celebrations.

This scholarship, in the value of at least $1,000, was established in 1986 and is maintained by the Gower Community Band in honour of former members of the Gower Youth Band who have become professional musicians and music educators. The external scholarship is open to all students in brass, woodwind or percussion entering the first year of full-time study in Memorial University’s School of Music, and is awarded annually by MUN Music on the basis of musical excellence and potential as demonstrated at the entrance audition.

An initiative for the encouragement, development, and performance of new musical compositions in Newfoundland and Labrador. The program was established in 2007 ad provides Composition Prizes for students at Memorial University’s School of Music, awarded annually at a level of $1,500. This amount is shared among composers in the event of multiple winners.  

The TNP Awards were enhanced in 2017 with the addition of an additional prize from The Jack Green Memorial Fund valued at up to $500 for new Instrumental Arrangements for Concert Band to recognize the importance of skills in the art of arranging.

A GCB internal scholarship in the value of at least $600, available to active members with a minimum of two years’ service who have been accepted for admission into first-year studies at Memorial University’s School of Music. This award has been provided by the Roberts Family in memory of long-time Gower band supporter and benefactor Gladys L. Roberts.

A GCB development fund to support scholarships, seminars and workshops, master classes, special tuition and community outreach initiatives, originally established through the support of Trudy A. Green in loving memory of her husband, Jack Green. This fund provides prize money for arrangements in the GCB Terra Nova Program.

Awarded at the discretion of the GCB Awards Committee to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the GCB in terms of personal development, spirit, commitment to community service, and leadership. Valued at $500, this award has been provided through a trust fund established by the family of long-time supporter and benefactor Mrs. Ina V. Winsor.

A discretionary award that may be provided on the basis of special circumstances or needs of a GCB member on the advice of the Director. Amount and frequency to be determined by the Awards Committee.