June 6, 2022 — Press release from the Burlington Performing Arts Centre
At the 2022/2023 Season Launch on May 31st, The Burlington Performing Arts (BPAC) inducted three remarkable individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the Burlington Performing Arts Community. As we were unable to host a season launch last year, we inducted our 2021 and 2022 Hall of Fame winners and also honoured another extraordinary individual with a Lifetime Achievement Induction.
Philanthropist Gary DeGroote will take a place in our Hall of Fame as our 2021 inductee for his incredible contribution to the arts. BPAC’s existence was dependent on a lead gift, something to begin the campaign of raising the funds to build and establish a theatre for the entire community to enjoy. This lead gift was given by no other than Gary DeGroote. He also sat on the campaign cabinet as co-chair and used his leadership and passion for culture to drive the fundraising initiative which eventually culminated in the opening of Burlington’s world class theatre 11 years ago. Gary insisted the building not bear his or his family name and so it is with great pleasure that we induct him to our Hall of Fame to be recognized again for his contribution and commitment to the arts.
The name Don Allan will ring a bell for many Burlington residents, especially those with ties to the Burlington Teen Tour Band (also inducted into the BPAC Hall of Fame in 2017). Many refer to Don as Burlington’s Music Man. After spending time in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a clarinetist, Don taught music here in the Halton District School Board and then became the director of the Burlington Teen Tour Band and later the Burlington Concert Band. With over 40 years of bringing music to youth and taking them around the world to showcase the talent we have here in Burlington, we are pleased to announce that Don Allan is the recipient of the 2022 Hall of Fame Induction.
A final award, a very special award, was given to a man we tragically lost this spring. Boris Brott, world-renowned composer, ensured that his home, this area, was enriched by music. His musical career spanned his entire life, with a solo performance at age five with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and conducting the youth orchestra he founded at 15. From there he committed his career to sharing music, helping others learn and embrace the beauty of orchestral sounds and further founding the Brott Music Festival, Canada’s largest classical musical festival in neighbouring Hamilton, Ontario. There were no words to be spoken when Ardyth Brott, Boris’s widow, came to the stage to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award. Boris was tragically killed in a hit and run accident in April of this year.
All three Inductees were presented with a beautiful piece of custom stained glass art created by Teresa Seaton, local glass artist. Plaques with photos of our inductees will be hung on our Hall of Fame wall on
the Mezzanine Level of BPAC for all to enjoy.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Hall of Fame recognizes persons who have made significant contributions to the performing arts in Burlington. Recipients of this award demonstrate the diversity of artistic accomplishment that comprises the rich cultural tapestry of the City of Burlington. The Hall of Fame award is normally presented to the inductee at BPAC’s Season Launch events and was founded in
2013.
Nominations for next years’ Hall of Fame Inductee will open in spring 2023.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
The full schedule of BPAC Presents events is available here:
burlingtonpac.ca/bpacpresents
facebook.com/BurlingtonPAC | twitter.com/BurlingtonPAC | instagram.com/burlington_pac
