Congratulations to the 2026 David G.H. Waters Hymn Sing Memorial Award Recipient!

MCA is pleased to announce that Charlton Rodrigues is the recipient of the 2026 David G.H. Waters Hymn Sing Memorial Award. Charlton, from Winnipeg, just completed his second year of studies at the University of Manitoba. Charlton is looking forward to continuing to share his talents with his community, to be able to teach young singers and explore choral conducting – ‘choir music has a grip on his heart’, and we’re happy to support that!

The David G.H. Waters Hymn Sing Memorial Award pays tribute to David Waters, producer and director of the long-time-running CBC show Hymn Sing. The CBC Hymn Sing Chorus was a professional choir which provided singing experience and financial means for over 400 different choristers in its 30 years, many young singers in Manitoba. The intent of this award is to recognize the significant role that participation in school, community and church choirs play in the development of a singer’s love of music and the decision to further their studies in music with the goal of a professional career. MCA presents this award annually to a student pursuing studies leading to a music degree with a major in voice.

Charlton Rodrigues

Charlton Rodrigues is a young baritone from Winnipeg. He has just completed his second year at the Desautels Faculty of Music as a voice performance major, studying under Mel Braun. Music as always been apart of Charlton’s life as he started piano very young and eventually fell in love with singing, studying under Tiffany Wilson, and the joy and community that surrounded it. Before starting his degree, he jumped at as many opportunities as possible, joining many music programs offered at his high school, as well as singing with Bluestem.

Now, with a love of both choral and solo music, he has had the opportunity to sing with the Yuletide Singers, Nuovoce, Cantata Singers, as well as being a section leader at Westworth United Church and recently went on tour with the University of Manitoba Singers to Amsterdam and Sweden. He has also recently performed as Curly from "Oklahoma!" and J. Pierrepont Finch from "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in the University of Manitoba’s Cross the Line as well as Saul in the University of Manitoba’s Oratorio Seminar’s "Saul" and was a finalist in the Zita Bernstein Competition this past year.

Charlton is very excited to continue his studies and music career so that he can spread the joy and love of music that he feels whenever he performs.

Congratulations Charlton!