When the opportunity arose to secure unparalleled education for trumpet students at The Glenn Gould School, RCM Donors Sheryl and David Kerr did not hesitate. Thanks to a generous endowment gift from the Kerrs, GGS will be able to offer tuition-free education to trumpet students through the new Sheryl & David Kerr Trumpet Program.
The Kerr’s recent gift to the Conservatory is guided by their belief that musicians have a transformative effect on society. “The world is a better place when there is music. As Canadians and global citizens, we all benefit from the formative experiences the talented students at GGS have during their studies,” says Sheryl Kerr, who herself enjoyed playing trumpet and bugle as a high school student. “David and I are so proud to be able to support young trumpet players by giving them the chance to study at a world-class music school where they are able to collaborate and propel their peers to new artistic heights. It is our hope that this gift will not only transform the lives of budding musicians but that it will also motivate similar efforts to increase the accessibility of music education in Canada.”
The generous gift from the Kerrs has multiple layers of impact. Full-tuition scholarships, specifically for trumpet students, ensure that talented young artists can benefit from access to GGS’s unique educational offering, giving them the freedom to focus on their artistry without financial barriers or the burden of debt. Being able to offer this level of support also enhances the school’s reputation among budding artists internationally, allowing GGS to attract high calibre students. These students go on to have a profound effect on their cohort, impacting their peers’ development by collaborating in practice, performance in the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, and master classes.
Under the leadership of Andrew McCandless, Principal Trumpet of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the trumpet department at The Glenn Gould School is regarded as one of the finest in North America.
“Breaking down financial barriers that threaten student access is vital,” says McCandless. “Scholarships are investments at a crucial time in an artist’s development that empower students to take advantage of every opportunity during such a foundational period of growth. We at GGS are grateful to the Kerrs for offering trumpet students life-changing experiences through their generous gift. As an artist and educator, I look forward to tracing the legacy of The Sheryl & David Kerr Trumpet Program through the future careers of our GGS trumpet alumni.”
