Parry Michael Zehr Memorial Award 

Since 1996, this award has recognized a string player of promise in the K-W Youth Orchestra, who plans to use the award money to help fund his/her musical studies, and will continue as a member of the Youth Orchestra. The current award is $600 each year. As this award was not given for three years due to COVID, for the next several years two awards will be given, for a total of $1,200 each year.

This award was set up by friends of the family of Parry Michael Zehr. Parry was a young, promising violin player who began playing at age five and competed successfully in many Kiwanis (winning first place at age eight) and other competitions. He achieved honours standing in his grade eight Conservatory examinations. He was a member of four orchestras: The Separate School Youth Orchestra, Kitchener Gospel Temple Orchestra, Rockway Mennonite High School Orchestra and the K-W Symphony Youth Orchestra. Parry died as a result of a bicycle accident in 1991 at the age of 17.

The fund was initiated by Marion Schweitzer, a life member of the K-W CFUW club and close friend of fellow club member, Ginger Zehr. Marion wished to honour the memory of her friend’s son, Parry, and encourage excellence in music at the youth level. Marion Schweitzer passed away in 2004 and Ginger Zehr passed away in 2012. The fund has been further supplemented by member donations.

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