Scholarships and Awards

The DSS holds annual awards auditions to provide adjudication experience and a constructive musical evaluation for all applicants, with a minimal amount of competitiveness. Recognition is given to players in each division that have attained a high level of musicianship and have shown, by their attitude and participation, a dedication to music and the Delta Youth Orchestra. The awards auditions are open to all DYO members through voluntary application, with some restrictions: paid-up membership; must be taking private lessons on the audition instrument; no more than three unexcused absences. The decision making process has been designed to eliminate interpretation of results by the DSS. The Awards Committee’s role is entirely one of administration only. The player’s conductor provides a written evaluation and mark to the DSS Awards Committee based upon the member’s contribution, attitude, musicianship, and attendance. Each applicant performs for an independent adjudicator. The adjudicator also provides a mark and a written evaluation to the DSS Awards Committee based upon presence, technical ability, intonation, musicianship and an orchestral selection picked by the conductor. Only the written evaluations are given to the applicants.
The DSS actively seeks donations and sponsors to fund the cost of adjudicators and the DSS awards. Award amounts vary from year to year and are determined by the funds available. Traditionally, at least three members from each orchestra receive an award. Auditions take place in May. Awards are handed out at the year end all-divisional concert in June. The DSS Awards and Concerto Competition are complimentary activities. Members are encouraged to participate in both.

Harry Gomez - Fred Preuss Memorial Award

The Harry Gomez Memorial Award was created in the spring of 1984, under the initiation of Fred Preuss. This fund  was created from donations in memory of Harry Gomez. Through the efforts of Harry Gomez and Fred Preuss the Delta Symphony Soceity and the Delta Youth Orchestra were founded in 1971. The Gomez - Preuss trust is administered by a group of trustees through the DSS and is used to support various musical endeavors, and as a scholarship fund.

Our list of award winners is unfortunately incomplete. If you can help us fill in the blanks, please contact us.

Senior Award Winners - Gomez - Preuss Award.
 

1985	Christopher Sandvoss	viola
1986	Thomas Wambeke	violin
1987	Wallace Leung	violin
1988	Allyson Philips	french horn
1989	Anne Yagihara	violin
1990
1991
1992	Laura Gorkoff	cello
1993	James Malmberg	violin
1994	Meredith Bates	violin
1995	Leah Chang	french horn
1996	Melina Sanford	violin
1997	Colin Percival	violin
1998	Cheryl Lane	french horn
1999
2000
2001
2002	Douglas Gorkoff	cello
2003	Alana Chang	violin
2004	Tim Havas	trombone
2005	Matthew Nakagawa	violin
2006	Glara Kim, Katelyn Letkemann	flute flute
2007	Fabian Juren, Joanna Tseng	clarinet flute
2008	Alvin Tran	violin
2009	Jonathan Wong	violin

Wallace Leung Memorial Award

Additionally, one member from each orchestra receives the Wallace Leung Memorial Award. This award is granted in honour and recognition of Wallace Leung (1968-2002). Wallace was a member of the DYO during his student days and later became both a conductor and Music Director of  the orchestra. This memorial award is presented to a string players who have made an exceptional contribution to the orchestra. for Junior, Intermezzi and Symphony divisions.
 

2002	Alana Chang Kenny Wong Alvin Tran	violin
2003	Alana Chang Kenny Wong Tanya Tan	violin
2004	Kate Cole Alvin Tran Kevin Ing	violin
2005	Alvin Tran, Krystel Yip Tanya Tan Kevin Ng	violin
2006	Krystel Yip Kevin Ng Lisa Wang	violin
2007	Alvin Tran Kevin Ng Lisa Wang	violin
2008	Kevin Ng Sharon Li Jonathan Lago	violin
2009	Kevin Ng Sharon Li Pearl Chang	violin violin cello