Scholarship Eligibility

Students graduating high school who have been accepted to and are enrolling in a music program at a recognized Canadian college or university.

Geographical Qualification

Graduates must be from high schools in the following communities: North Brampton, Caledon, Orangeville, Alliston, Erin and King City.

Award

The value of each scholarship is $500.

Citation

Gordon Wragg (Founding President of Humber College) joined the Caledon Concert Band in 1982. Gordon had already become a great friend and supporter of the band through financial contributions and attendance at our concerts. He became a playing member of the band at his retirement dinner. Charter band member, Lloyd Bittle, presented him with a Caledon Concert Band chair inscribed with Gordon's name.

Gordon began playing the fife as a teenager in a 1st of July parade. Saving his earnings from delivering the Morning Empire newspaper, he was able to purchase his first flute. Gordon studied flute under Walter Whittaker, the principal flautist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Later, Gordon would play piccolo for the Oshawa Regimental Band and fondly remembers competitions with them at the CNE Bandshell. Gordon even performed as a guest soloist with the Humber College Jazz Band under Ron Collier, in their special rendition of Jingle Bells.

After studies at the Ontario Agricultural College in the early 1940's, Gordon took the teachers' option at OISE. Early posting included Chesterville (near Ottawa), Shelburne, and Bancroft, Ontario. Gordon was recruited from his position as Principal of the Institute of Trades (Ryerson) to start up Humber College in 1959.

Gordon played regularly with the Caledon Concert Band as a featured soloist and principal chair of the flute section until 2000. Gordon passed away in April 2009 in his 91st year. He was also a past President of the Canadian Gladiola Society and enjoyed playing bridge socially with his wife, Ann. The Caledon Concert Band is pleased to offer a scholarship in his memory to honour Gordon's longtime support of the band and his dedication to music and leadership in education.