Established by former student Margaret Douglas in memory of her mother, Katherine Cummings, the Katherine Cummings Scholarship for Musical Excellence Award was created by the late music lover’s family to recognize a student who has demonstrated a high level of performance ability and academic achievement, and who will be pursuing their goal of a professional career in music through a performance diploma in voice, piano or a bowed string instrument.

“It was my mother’s wish to donate money to Kwantlen’s music program,” said Ross Douglas, Margaret’s son. “It was important to her because she loved music and had also taken history courses at Kwantlen in her later years and liked the idea of supporting the local university. I was able to visit the Kwantlen Music Department and saw first-hand where the money was going. It was exciting to see those kids working away at what they loved.”

Douglas believes supporting Kwantlen’s music program is important because he says it encourages talented community members to stay in the area and develop their skills. “In turn, as these students develop, they are seen in performance by younger kids in the community — some of whom may well be inspired to follow a musical path themselves,” he said. “So, the entire process is one that can help establish an ongoing standard to enrich our area and local culture. These things make us better.”

Serving the Fraser Valley and beyond, the Kwantlen Music Department provides outstanding university music education in Langley, B.C. Offering the only Bachelor of Music degree in the Fraser Valley, the faculty programs are designed to help singers, pianists, guitarists and those who play an orchestral instrument, such as violin, clarinet, or trumpet, to realize their full potential as a musician. For more information, visit https://kpu.ca/arts/music.