HERBERT AND AUDREY BELYEA TROPHY  

The Herbert and Audrey Belyea Trophy was donated by family members to the Winnipeg Music Festival in 1999. This trophy is awarded for the most outstanding performance of a German Lied, French Mélodie, Italian Art Song, Spanish Canción or 20th/21st Century English Art Song by a Grade A vocalist.

Herbert Belyea was born in Winnipeg in 1917 and died in 2001. He received his early choral training as a boy in All Saints Anglican Church Choir and the Winnipeg Boys' Choir. After completing Grade 12, he attended Manitoba Normal School. In the spring of 1941, he began active service as an artillery officer in the Armed Forces. After he returned home in the fall of 1945, he completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba. There he studied with American composers Hunter Johnson and the late Dr. Paul Gelrud. He was a vocal student of the late W.H. Anderson and sang with the C.B.C. Winnipeg Choristers for twenty years. Mr. Belyea received his Masters of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1961. For 19 years he was a music specialist with the Winnipeg School Division. From 1967 to 1978 he was a professor of music in the Faculty of Music. He adjudicated vocal and choral classes at music festivals throughout Canada, and was a member of the Men's Music Club from 1948 to 1998, as well as a board member of the Winnipeg Music Festival. Mr. Belyea was made an Honorary Life Member of the Winnipeg Music Festival and the Manitoba Music Educators. 

Audrey Belyea was Herbert's constant companion and collaborator. She accompanied all his vocal students throughout the years, at lessons, recitals, competitions and recordings. She was the organist at the various churches of which he was choirmaster. An accomplished musician in her own right, she remains active in the teaching of piano and theory students, as well in accompanying vocalists. Herb and Audrey's three children, as well as several grandchildren, have all participated in the Winnipeg Music Festival.