• Director's Annual Tunawards
  

" 80% of success is just showing up!"  Woody Allen

Started as an annual event just prior to Thanksgiving of 2010, these awards were initiated by Music Director Bob Shami after receiving a suggestion from Chapter member Bryan Schmidt that delivering actual fish might be a way for Bob to show his appreciation of chorus member's efforts, as opposed to a Director's normal role of finding errors and trying to fix them. His choice to distribute these awards just prior to the Canadian Thanksgiving is a deliberate one. 

 

Why tuna?

We often say that on those occasions when the Director gives out compliments to the chorus, it is like distributing fish to trained seals. Bob took Bryan up on his suggestion and so was born the Tunawards, (pronounced Tune-Awards): the tradition of giving an actual can of tuna to those deserving special recognition. 

 

134 cans of tuna have been awarded since the first TUNAWARDS in 2009/2010

 

Woody Allen was right!

The single most important thing a singer can do to improve his own success as a singer and the success also of the whole group, is to simply attend as many rehearsals as possible. And to attend with "purpose". That way, the improvements we make each week as a group are carried forward by the maximum number of singers. We don't have to spend as much time reteaching the ones who missed last week.

 

If we see ourselves as musicians, taking seriously our responsibility to the music and to one another, it begins by being a regular attendee at rehearsal to the best of our ability.  Tunawards are therefore mostly based on attendance-related achievements.

 

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TUNAWARD WINNERS - SEPT 2023 to JUNE 2024

 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TUNAWARD

Given annually to the first-year member who, in his first season, attends the highest percentage of the 40-45 scheduled chorus rehearsals and major performance events like the annual show or an occasional "Pie Gig", with a minimum attendance of 75%.   It was too close this year to have just one winner!

• GILLES CARRIER - 77% attendance in his rookie year
  
  

• JEFF HERMANN - 81% - 1st night was Jan. 29 and he sang on the April show!

• ROB THIBODEAU - 82% attendance

• DARRYL PATTERSON - 88% attendance
  
  

• JOSH PERRIN - an amazing 98% attendance

PERFECT ATTENDANCE TUNAWARD

Given annually to any member who, in the past year, achieved 100% attendance at all scheduled chorus events:

• BOB SHAMI

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT in ATTENDANCE TUNAWARD

Given annually to members who achieved the greatest improvement in their attendance compared to the previous year.  This usually means those whose attendance improved by 15% or more.

• STEVE RUTTI - improved from 78% attendance the previous year to 93%
  
  

PERSONAL BEST TUNAWARD

Given annually to any member who, in the past year, achieved his personal-best attendance of any year since record-keeping began in 2002.

• RICHARD BUJOLD-VALLEE - a personal best (PB) attendance of 72%
  
  

• RYAN GEICK - tied his PB at 86%

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT TUNAWARD:  THE "BIG KAHUNA-TUNA"!

 

A special award, given at the Director's discretion, to a member who has displayed extraordinary faithfulness and dedication to the chorus over many years.  A man who faithfully attends rehearsals and performances, knows his music, and is always willing to help his risermates or to pitch in when asked to help out.

 

The 2024 winner of the "BIG KAHUNA" TUNAWARD

• FOLGO DELLA VEDOVA
  

A 19-year member, Folgo has averaged 83% attendance since joining the chorus and continues to be a solid contributor to the bari section.  He has been Chapter President since 2010, ie for 16 of his 19 years as a member.  He serves in many other roles:  Warm-up team member, Show Chairman, Year End BBQ host and chief BBQ-man. That's worth at least a can of tuna from his grateful director!

 

Previous "Big Kahuna-Tuna's":

• 2023 - BOB HOLLEY
  
  

• 2019 - ART FINK
  
  

• 2018 - AL CARSCADDEN
  
  

• 2017 - JIM DUNCAN
  
  

• 2016 - DOUG ILES
  
  

• 2015 - DANNY RAE
  
  

• 2014 - LAYNE HILL
  
  

• 2013 - JIM TOWNSEND
  
  

• 2012 - AL BROWN
  
  

• 2011 - DON WHITE
  
  

• 2010 - MIKE LUTHER

THE UNSUNG "GREATER-TUNA" TUNAWARD!

Awarded to a member whose extraordinary faithfulness and dedication often occurs (but not always) mainly behind the scenes and whose contributions therefore may otherwise go unnoticed by the membership of the chorus at large. 

 

The 2024 winner of the UNSUNG "GREATER-TUNA" TUNAWARD:

• CHRIS ASLETT

A 13-year member with an attendance record of 86% over that span, this tells but a portion of his contributions to the chorus.  He serves on the board as Chapter Development VP and is always there to welcome guests and make sure they are looked after for the evening. He is the tenor section leader and serves on the teaching team while also singing tenor with After Class.  He exemplifies the best qualities of chorus brotherhood. Congrats to Chris and a big thank-you from all of us for your service and commitment to the Chapter!

Previous Unsung "Greater-Tuna's":

• PAULI VALLI - 2023
  
  

• DAVE HARASYMIW - 2019
  
  

• FOLDO DELLA VEDOVA - 2018
  
  

• STEPHEN RUTTI - 2017
  
  

• ART FINK - 2016
  
  

• ALLAN TOIVONEN - 2015
  
  

• KEVIN COLLAR - 2014
  
  

• DON MYERS - 2013

Congratulations to all of this year's TUNAWARD winners!

 

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