A Fredericton music teacher who received a trip to the Junos after winning the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award got a big surprise at the visiting Toronto – members of the band Rush presented him with the honour.
The Grammy nominated band were the sole sponsors of this year’s award, and saw it only fitting to be the ones to acknowledge Don Bossé’s dedication to young musicians. Bossé was visiting Toronto shopping for a JUNO red carpet-worthy suit at Holt Renfrew Men.
“The award means a lot because it validates the importance of what we do as music educators and teachers, and the positive impact we have in the lives of our students,” Bossé said.
The MusiCounts website notes that Bossé was recognized for his “outstanding dedication to inspiring and nurturing” of young Canadian musicians.
“When everything you have in life has come from the fountain of music, you want to spread that around and you want to encourage others,” Geddy Lee said at the surprise presentation.
He and band mate Alex Lifeson spoke about why they wanted to support the award, which gives $10,000 to Bossé’s school music program at Fredericton High School, and another $10,000 to Bossé himself.
Bossé has been teaching at Fredericton High for 22 years where he’s taught JUNO award winners David Myles and Measha Brueggergosman.
Bossé has given a lot to students at the school during his time there, including creating a professional-quality recording studio with the help of a Innovative Learning Fund grant. He’s also made Recording Sound & Design 120 a course option for students to take as part of their studies at FHS.
Along with being presented the award by Rush, Bossé will be treated to the JUNO week VIP experience – attending the Charman’s Reception, the JUNO Gala Dinner and Awards and walking the red carpet at the awards show broadcast on April 3.