Sabian - Because Sound Matters

"THE SABIAN/PASIC SCHOLARSHIP"
(A History)

By Ian Turnbull

The SABIAN/PASIC Scholarship was initiated in 1990 by Robert Zildjian, Chairman of the Board, SABIAN Ltd., after a suggestion from Ian Turnbull during a conversation at a Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The purpose of the scholarship is, on an annual basis, to provide funding that enables one Canadian Percussion Student to attend PASIC.

The Scholarship consists of a one-year membership in the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), one PASIC registration, one Hall-of-Fame Banquet ticket, four nights accommodation at the Convention Hotel and, transportation to and from the event location. Originally, the amount of the scholarship was not to exceed CDN$1,000, however, in 2000 that amount was increased to CDN$1,500. The scholarship is limited to a Canadian undergraduate university student (Percussion Major). The annual deadline for application is May 1^st.

Each year, a selection committee, consisting of 3 Canadian PAS members, meets during the first week of June to select a winner. The current committee consists of Chairman D’Arcy Gray, Principal Timpanist of Orchestra London, Dr. Jill Ball, Percussion Instructor at the University of Western Ontario, and Dr. Aiyun Huang, Percussion Instructor at McGill University. Ian Turnbull, Founding President of the Ontario Chapter PAS, serves as the Scholarship Administrator.

Each March, a letter announcing the upcoming scholarship is sent to all Canadian Chapter Presidents. The letter requests that the Chapter Presidents publish the announcement in their respective newsletters. The letter is also published in the PAS journal “Percussive Notes”.

Application forms for the Scholarship are printed in “Percussive Notes” (also available in French from the Scholarship Administrator). Applicants must provide the following: proof of full-time student status, their most recent transcripts, information regarding the applicants’ past awards, community involvement and future plans, and a four-to-five minute performance video. The winner is then selected by a majority decision of the Scholarship Selection Committee.

While at one time it was a requirement that applicants be members in good standing of PAS, which was changed in the 2003 in an effort to increase the number of applicants. During 2008, Ian Turnbull stepped-down as one of the Scholarship judges, and was replaced by Bob Becker; however, Ian remained as the Scholarship Administrator.

In 2009, PAS eliminated the “Hall of Fame” Banquet, and in its place arranged a Cocktail Reception. In addition, SABIAN took over responsibility for arranging transportation and hotel accommodation for the Scholarship winner.

The Winners to date are as follows:

1991   Kyle Radomsky - White Rock, BC.
1992   Ann McGregor - London, ON.
1993   Romano DeNillo - St. John's, NFLD.
1994   Lauren Vanexem - Dorchester, ON
1995   Art Mullin - North York, ON.
1996   Matt Duboff - Winnipeg, MAN.
1997   Gina Ryan - St. John's, NFLD.
1998   Ed Choi - Toronto, ON.
1999   Ian Gibson - Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON.
2000   Michael Gambarcurta - Camlachie, ON.
2001   Andrew Dunsmore - St. John's, NFLD.
2002   Ainsley McNeaney - Toronto, ON.
2003   Keith Harding - St. John's, NFLD.
2004   Patricia Mangat - Kincardine, ON.
2005   Ben Duinker - Halifax, NS.
2006   Scott Latham - St. John's, NFLD.
2007   Whitney Rowe - St. John's, NFLD.
2008   Gregory Harrison - Fredericton, NB
2009   Sanja Brankovic - Kitchener, ON
2010   Colin Van de Reep - Calgary, AB
2011   Noam Bierstone - Toronto, ON

Analysis of the Winners to 2011.

7 Women - 14 Men.

10 from Ontario, 6 from Newfoundland.

One each from, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia.

In 2000, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Scholarship, all previous winners and the members of the selection committee were flown to Meductic, NB to visit the SABIAN Factory and to meet the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Robert Zildjian.

In 2010, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Scholarship, all the scholarship winners since 2000 were invited to Meductic, given a welcoming reception and dinner as well as a tour of the SABIAN factory.

 

Updated July 2011