Kathleen McMorrow Music Award
The Kathleen McMorrow Music Award was established in 2015. Kathleen McMorrow headed the Music Library at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music from 1974 to 2013. She established the award to recognize and encourage the composition and presentation of Canadian contemporary classical music. The Ontario Arts Foundation manages the endowment that funds the award.
The Ontario Arts Foundation manages the endowment that funds the award. The Ontario Arts Council is responsible for the selection process. The award recipient is selected from the applicants to one of the two annual Ontario Arts Council Music Creation Projects program deadlines.
Prize: $10,000
Current Recipients
Corey Butler
Corey Butler is being awarded for his composition of four original pieces for chamber orchestra and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale. The lyrics and music are inspired by and rooted in the folk foundations of Nathanial Dett. The completed work is scheduled to premiere in October 2027, at the Rose Theatre in Brampton.
Ted Runcie
Ted Runcie is receiving his award for a commissioned project for orchestra. It was commissioned by the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor Ronald Royer. The project had its world premiere in November 2025 at the Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel.
Past Recipients
2024 Kalaichelvan for composition: C’est Pas Beau?
Rashaan Allwood for composition: Black Ice
2023 Suba Sankaran for composition: Blue Skies, Red Earth, Tall Pines
2022 Afarin Mansouri for composition: Zuleykha
2021 Suad Bushnaq for composition: SinBach
2020 Parisa Sabet for composition: Vanishing Point
2019 Jordan Pal for composition: Upwell
2018 Chan Ka Nin for composition: Dragon’s Tale
2017 Frank Horvat for composition: The Thailand HRDs
News Releases
Composers Corey Butler and Ted Runcie are awarded the Kathleen McMorrow Music Award June 30, 2026