Canadian singer-songwriter Steven Page, renowned as a co-founder of the iconic band Barenaked Ladies, expressed profound shock and gratitude after receiving a prestigious award from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The surprise presentation occurred during the 36th Annual Power of Music Vancouver Symphony Gala, held at the historic Orpheum theatre in Vancouver on March 12.
A Night of Musical Celebration and Recognition
The event, hosted by celebrated broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos, featured Page performing a curated selection of songs alongside the talented musicians of the VSO. Following his performance, VSO president and CEO Angela Elster, joined by Stroumboulopoulos, called Page back to the stage to bestow upon him the VSO Gold Baton Award for Music. In a parallel honor, Stroumboulopoulos himself received the 2026 Gold Baton Award for Cultural Leadership during the same evening.
Honoring a Legacy in Canadian Music
The award was presented to acknowledge Page's significant and lasting influence on the Canadian music industry, as well as his dedicated advocacy for youth music programs. "Just being invited to come and work with the VSO is a huge honour," Page remarked. "It sounds corny, but it really is the award itself right here, to play with musicians of this calibre. To play arrangements of my dumb songs that are done in a way that are respectful of what these musicians do."
During the gala, which served as a fundraiser for the VSO School of Music, Page performed beloved tracks including Entourage, Jane, Call & Answer, and the classic If I Had A Million Dollars—the latter prompting a raucous and enthusiastic singalong from the audience. He was supported on stage by his Steven Page Trio bandmates, adding to the collaborative spirit of the evening.
Championing Music Education and Artistic Passion
In his acceptance speech, Page passionately emphasized the critical importance of music education programs for sustaining Canada's vibrant and economically vital arts and music economy. "I love the fact that there are amateur musicians, people who love to make music, people who love to listen to music, people who love to talk about it, obsess over it. That’s what I do. I do it because I can’t stop thinking about music, and whether it’s classical music or jazz or the stuff that I make, I love to live inside of music," he shared. "And I think that has to be encouraged."
Reflecting on the challenges of promoting classical music, Page noted that it "isn’t always the easiest sell," yet stressed the necessity of supporting "serious music" within the community. "It’s not the most commercial thing, but it needs to be there," he asserted. "It doesn’t have to be everybody’s favourite all the time. It can’t be everything to everybody, but it’s got to be there for people when they need it."
A Personal Journey Rooted in Early Inspiration
Page also recounted his own formative introduction to music as a young boy in Scarborough, Ontario, where he participated in his school's choir. He spoke eloquently about the transformative power of music education in schools for nurturing young Canadian talent. "(Music) is the thing that I spent the rest of my life chasing, and I am so blessed to be able to continue to do that almost every day of my life," he reflected. "And so, anything I can do to help other young people find that passion and find places to exercise that passion, I will always be there for that."
The evening not only celebrated Page's artistic contributions but also underscored the enduring value of musical institutions and education in fostering cultural richness and personal fulfillment across generations.
