Anglais seulement

For immediate release, Jun 5, 2023 (Toronto ON): 

The CMC is pleased to announce the selection of Ronald Beckett as the inaugural winner of the Walter MacNutt Prize. For his winning proposal, Ronald will write a 6 minute work based on three short poems by William Blake for SATB chorus and piano accompaniment. This work is in dialogue with MacNutt’s setting of the same poet. The jury was impressed with Ronald’s knowledge of MacNutt’s output and the community he has built around his ensemble, Arcady, in Brantford. Beckett’s new work will be presented as part of CMC Sponsored events in both Brantford and Toronto in 2024. 

About Ronald Beckett 

Ronald Beckett has had numerous compositions performed by ensembles throughout Ontario. He has written three operas that constitute a trilogy: Ruth, John, and I Am…. that have been given fully staged performances by Arcady and Queens Student Opera. Ron’s catalogue of compositions includes a number of additional large-scale works for orchestra or orchestra and chorus and an abundance of chamber music and pieces for piano and organ.  Since 2008, he has written a great number of songs and music for youth, specifically for the Arcady Youth Singers.  

Ron is Founding Director of Arcady, an organization that was established in order to encourage outstanding young musicians by providing for them a bridge between their student and professional performing careers. Most of Arcady’s work is in two areas: period performances of early music repertoire and the works of Ronald Beckett.  

A Summa Cum Laude graduate from McMaster University in History and Theory, Ronald Beckett is an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Piano Performance), and also holds a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Western Ontario. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to music and community, he was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Gallery in 2004. 

About the Walter MacNutt Prize: 

The Walter MacNutt Prize is awarded on a biennal basis. The prize recognizes a composer who is working with the genres of choral music, art song, and/or keyboard improvisation. This prize honours Walter’s warm, open, and generous spirit and his high regard for beauty, precision, and his audience, all of which radiated from his person and his music. 

The Walter MacNutt prize is made possible due to the generous benefaction of Robert Maclennan. 

About the Canadian Music Centre (CMC)
The Canadian Music Centre is a catalyst that connects you to the ever-evolving world of Canadian musical creation through performance, education, and promotion. The CMC provides unique resources for exploring, discovering, and performing Canadian music. We are passionate about nurturing a musical community that honours our legacy and supports the professional development of Canadian musicians and composers.