MIA Grad Wins National Music Award

Fanshawe College Music Industry Arts graduate Shannon Penner has been named one of this year's recipients of the MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award.

Fanshawe MIA grad Shannon Penner, back row, fourth from right,
winner of the MusiCounts 2010 Fred Sherratt Award.

Along with the other 2010 winners, Penner was honoured on Monday, June 14, 2010, at a celebration held in Toronto at the MuchOnDemand studio.

Established in 2007 in partnership with CTVglobemedia, the MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award is given each year to 12 outstanding post-secondary students graduating from music programs in Canadian colleges and universities.

Named in honour of broadcasting pioneer Fred Sherratt, the award recognizes and celebrates outstanding talent, academic excellence and leadership skills. The exemplary individuals chosen to receive the awards are recognized for being active in various music and music industry related programs throughout the country. Each recipient receives a $3,500 cash prize in addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to Toronto, followed by a unique opportunity to spend an educational day at MuchMusic and CHUM Radio.

Sherratt was instrumental in building CHUM Limited into one of Canada's leading media companies. Throughout his career, he has also been awarded several honours by the broadcasting industry.

According to Fanshawe's Music Industry Arts (MIA) program Coordinator Steve Malison, Penner was a very deserving winner.

"Throughout his time at Fanshawe College, Shannon Penner remained at or near the top of his class," said Steve Malison, Coordinator of MIA at Fanshawe. "He excelled at music composition and editing, in part thanks to his prior professional experience as a 3D animator."

Penner, who studied animation at Sheridan College before coming to Fanshawe, was credited as a visual effects animation assistant in Disney's 2009 animated feature The Princess and the Frog. While in the MIA program at Fanshawe College, he directed his energy toward helping students both in and outside the classroom.

"Shannon served outside the classroom as a Student Union representative for MIA for a year - a position that involved leadership on many levels - and was an active member of the school community," Malison continued. "Thanks to his experience in many areas of college life, peers often looked up to him."

To listen to Shannon Penner's music, go to www.myspace.com/orbitoverluna.

MusiCounts provides grants, scholarships, and other music education initiatives to ensure that young Canadians, irrespective of socio-economic circumstances and cultural background, have access to a comprehensive music program through their school system.

For more information about the 2010 MusiCounts Fred Sherratt Award winners, click here: www.musicounts.ca/?page_id=70