JUNO nominations a true testament to the NAC’s role as a leader in the creation of new work

On March 24, at the 47^th JUNO Gala Dinner and Awards Presented by SOCAN, Jocelyn Morlock’s name is called. 

The Canadian composer has just won the JUNO Award for Classical Composition of the Year, for My Name is Amanda Todd, one of four new works that make up the highly acclaimed multimedia NAC Orchestra commission Life Reflected. Jocelyn accepts the award with Amanda’s mother, Carol Todd by her side.

My Name is Amanda Todd is one of two compositions, commissioned, performed and recorded by the NAC Orchestra, and conducted by Music Director Alexander Shelley, to be nominated in the category.  Andrew Staniland also received a Classical Composition of the Year nomination for Phi, Caelestis, a work that was part of the ambitious NAC Dance/NAC Orchestra commission ENCOUNT3RS. 

Recordings of both My Name is Amanda Todd and Phi, Caelestis are part of a multi-CD partnership between the NAC Orchestra and the award-winning, Montreal-based label Analekta. 

The works were funded by generous donations to the NAC Foundation’s Creation Campaign, which has raised more than $25 million for the creation of ambitious new works in theatre, music and dance. 

Having two JUNO nominees, one of whom went on to win the award, in a category about new creation is clear evidence that the NAC is taking a leadership position in the creation of new work, and that the results of the Creation Campaign are bearing fruit.  All of us at the NAC extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joceyln and Andrew on this wonderful honour.