The TMA understands the lasting impact of pursuing an education in music and the ongoing need to support student communities. These awards share support from one generation of musicians to the next. We welcome nominations as well as applicants, so long as complete information is provided.

1. a) Toronto Musicians’ Association, Carne H. Bray Memorial Award – $500
2. b) Toronto Musicians’ Association, Moe Koffman Memorial Award – $500

Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolment with a Canadian institution and their music program
• Award recipients must be between the ages of 18-30

To apply please submit the following (required):

1. Essay Style application (approx. 500 words). 

Please be sure to include the following information:

• Full name of applicant
• Program name and institution name
• Full-time or part-time studies
• If you are earning first, second or third degree/diploma/certificate  
• Academic achievements
• Pressing financial considerations

2. Letter of recommendation 

Please Note: Applicants may be selected for an interview by committee.

• Submissions are due July 31st, 2025 to info@tma149.ca
• Successful applicants will be notified by August 31st, 2025

Previous Scholarship Winners

About the Carne Bray Scholarship

CARNE BRAY was a professional musician playing double bass in jazz bands as well as commercially for the CBC and as a premier session player. Amongst his peers were jazz masters such as Peter Appleyard, Guido Basso, Jim Pirie, Ed Bickert, Ron Collier and Harry Freedman. The complex nature of Carne’s character was revealed in his double life as a jazz musician and a consulting economist. Carne was a Life Member of the Toronto Musicians’ Association for 64 years. After graduating near the top of his class at University of Toronto with an MBA, Carne transitioned into a successful business executive and independent economic consultant to Canada’s financial industry. Carne is greatly missed for his incisive mind, his careful consideration of the depth of ideas, his delight in debate and twists of logic and his natural charm

About the Mo Koffman Scholarship

MOE KOFFMAN was inspired by Rahsaan Roland Kirk to play multiple instruments at once and had modified a set of straps to hold a tenor and an alto saxophone so that he could put forward chords and improvise at the same time. One of the more famous session musicians in Toronto, he appeared in countless commercials, background music, and film and TV soundtracks. Most work on bass flute in Canadian soundtracks from 1950 to 1990 in Toronto sessions was done by Koffman on this rare instrument. During the 1970s, Koffman recorded several albums with arrangements of works by classical composers including Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi. He also was a guest performer with several symphony orchestras across Canada. He performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Peter Appleyard during the 1980s, as well as continuing to front the Moe Koffman Quintet and often performed with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass. From 1956 to 1990 Koffman booked performers for George’s Spaghetti House in Toronto, where he performed monthly. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1993 and inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1997.