CMC BC’s Heather Molloy and BC Director Sean Bickerton were at Music on Main’s sold-out 20th Season Celebration at the Vancouver Playhouse on March 23rd to present Artistic Director David Pay a Barbara Pentland Lifetime Achievement Award.
According to Bickerton: “David Pay has coached and mentored more than 300 composers, performing artists, and arts administrators over his career, and started a radically innovative new music series, which is now one of the most unique and admired in North America. Dave has not only changed the future of music but helped create it. It is an extraordinary contribution, not only to Canadian culture, but to the world. In the process, David Pay has supported countless Canadian composers, fostering them, presenting their work in concert, and acting as a champion of Canadian composition abroad.”
Photo credits: Jan Gates
Additionally, Pay has coached and mentored more than 300 artists, composers, and arts administrators through Music on Main, as well as through his work with Capilano University, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, ISCM World New Music Days 2017 (the largest new music festival in Canada’s history, co-hosted with the Canadian League of Composers), and CAPACOA.
Heather and Sean also presented Music on Main with a Barbara Pentland Award of Excellence for making an Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Music that evening. Over its twenty year history, Music on Main has presented over 155 world premieres and 175 Canadian premieres, and hosted four Composers in Residence, including Sabrina Schroeder, Nicole Lizée, Caroline Shaw, and Jocelyn Morlock.
Said Pay: “I was really surprised and moved when the Canadian Music Centre presented me with the Barbara Pentland Lifetime Achievement Award. And the Award of Excellence recognition is deeply meaningful for all of us at Music on Main.
Music on Main’s Composer in Residence and Artist in Residence programs have provided artists with resources and a creative community to develop new works and their Composer Essays series has offered a platform for composers to reflect on work and share insights with audiences.
Founded in 2006 by David Pay, Music on Main has become a driving force in Canada’s contemporary music scene, known for its adventurous programming, community engagement,
and support of both emerging and established artists.
“To be personally acknowledged alongside thelegacy of Barbara Pentland is an incredible honour. Celebrating this moment with our community of artists, audiences, and supporters made it even more memorable. As Music on Main looks ahead to its next 20 years, it remains committed to fostering bold creativity, collaboration, and a vibrant future for Canadian music.”