The Robert Kortgaard Awards for Youth Musical Excellence

After 25 years as Artistic Director, Robert Kortgaard has certainly made a lasting impact on the Under the Spire Music Festival. Under his artistic direction, what began as Sundays in the Summer transformed into a nationally-recognized and CBC-streamed concert series celebrating the beauty of classical music in the acoustically-unparalleled venue Historic St. Mary’s. Through it all, Kortgaard planned opportunities for young local and national emerging artists so they too could experience what it is like to perform in a professional venue. He curated a space for learning and curiosity, whether he was collaborating with the local Kiwanis Music Festival or Debut Atlantic for our Youth Legacy Celebration concert, coaching young musicians before a performance or introducing audiences to new genres. As he serves his final year with USMF, it seems only fitting to recognize his significant contributions to classical music in PEI by establishing a fund in his name.

The Robert Kortgaard Awards for Youth Musical Excellence will support youth by offering performance opportunities at Under the Spire Music Festival for youth who are based in Atlantic Canada and achieving excellence in music. USMF will use the fund to provide an honourarium for all artists performing in the annual Youth Legacy Concert as well as during the newly established Midsummer Emerging Artist program. This new program will recognize one deserving musician every year by offering them multiple performance opportunities during Midsummer Magic. Each youth receiving support from these annual awards will also benefit from coaching and mentorship from various professionals in the field depending on their musical interest and instrument. 

All donations supporting this fund will receive a tax receipt and an annual report on the Youth Legacy Concert and Midsummer Emerging Artist program.
To support this initiative, click on the link below.

Prize Eligibility:

• Must be based in Atlantic Canada 
• Must be an emerging musician. Professional artists (or artists who attribute more than 25% of their income from music) are not eligible
• Must be actively pursuing musical studies or have plans to pursue a career in music
• Must be under the age of 25

For more details or questions, please contact the administration at music@underthespire.ca