Awards & Bursaries

Every group participating in Atlantic Festivals of Music receives a trophy. In partnership with our sponsors and partner institutions, we also acknowledge outstanding soloists, and offer additional awards and bursaries to deserving ensembles and students.

Long & McQuade Outstanding Soloist Awards

Long & McQuade trophies and gift cards in the amount of $100 will be awarded to students who play or sing an outstanding solo during their ensemble’s performance at the festival. To be eligible, students must be listed on the Soloists form supplied to the ensemble director.

Awards are given at the discretion of the adjudicators. Award announcements may be made at evening concerts if the information is available and time allows.

Award Sponsored by

The Mike & Ron Award

New for 2026, this award for concert bands and orchestras is named in honour of our festival founders, Mike Morrissey and Ron Murphy. It is presented to the most outstanding concert band or orchestra as chosen by our adjudicators.

Artie Irwin Award for Excellence in Jazz

New for 2025, this award is presented to an outstanding instrumental jazz ensemble based on the recommendation of our jazz adjudicators. In addition to receiving the Artie Irwin Award trophy, the ensemble will be granted a performance slot at the 2025 Halifax Jazz Festival.*

The award honours the memory of Artie Irwin, who was a pivotal part of the Halifax jazz community for decades, including serving on the Halifax Jazz Festival’s board of directors.

*Groups that are able to take advantage of the summer performance opportunity have self-nominated for the award.

Award Sponsored by

Mount Allison Summer Study Bursary

Mount Allison Music is pleased to offer a $300 summer study bursary to an eligible student participating at the Atlantic Festivals of Music. The bursary will be deducted from tuition to the Summer Academy of Music, taking place July 6-12, 2025. The bursary is awarded based on the recommendation of the adjudicators.

Bursary Courtesy of

StFX Summer Study Bursary

St. Francis Xavier University offers a bursary covering 50% of tuition and related HST for the StFX Summer Music Camp, taking place July 27 – August 1, 2025 at the StFX campus in Antigonish, NS. The bursary is awarded based on the recommendation of the adjudicators to an outstanding musician (instrumentalist or vocalist) in a jazz or jazz-related style.

Note: The winner must complete and submit their registration form by May 8th to remain eligible for the bursary, and pay the remainder of the balance by the deadline of June 1.

Bursary Courtesy of

UPEI Summer Studios Bursary

The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to provide a bursary covering tuition ($340 value) for UPEI Summer Studios, a five-day chamber music experience for brass, woodwind, percussion, and voice students, aged 14-18. The program runs from July 7-11, 2025 on the UPEI campus.

Bursary Courtesy of