An Orillia music teacher has added another award to an impressive list of accolades.
Laura Lee Matthie, arts chair and music teacher at Orillia Secondary School, has received the Beckwith Award from the Ontario regional office of the Canadian Music Centre.
The award recognizes individuals and organizations “who have an established record of valuing and contributing to contemporary music-making across Ontario,” as stated on the Canadian Music Centre website.
“It’s quite special,” Matthie said of the recognition. “I’m very proud to have received it, but there are many educators who are engaging Canadian composers and musicians in their classrooms. I’m just one of them.”
She has worked over the years to bring various types of music to her students. Orillia Secondary School even commissioned a composition to commemorate the school’s opening. The composer worked with one of the school bands that was performing the piece.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matthie has continued to bring in musicians, virtually, to connect with students.
“It makes it more interesting for the students, and they get to ask questions,” she said.
It’s important to equip them with knowledge of not only music creation, but also the various parts of the music industry, Matthie said.
“We know not everyone is going to be a performer. Whether they go on to be a professional musician or an educator, they’re the future consumers, the future concert goers,” she said. “It’s opening their ears to things that they maybe hadn’t thought of before.”
The Beckwith Award, named for John Beckwith, one of the founders of the Canadian Music Centre, isn’t Matthie’s first recognition for her efforts. In 2015, she received an Excellence in Education award from the Simcoe County District School Board. In 2018, she was named MusiCounts Teacher of the Year.
“I feel very privileged to have received (the Beckwith Award),” she said. “There are very worthy candidates across the province, so I share it with all of them.”
Also receiving the 2021 Beckwith Award are music educators Bernie Andrews and Catherine Kloepfer as well as the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kingston Symphony, and NUMUS.
