Pat Dunne's "pride and joy" has won a provincial music trophy named in his honour. The retired director of education for the London District Catholic school board made an informal presentation of the Patrick Dunne Trophy to the junior orchestra at Catholic Central high school last week.

It's the first time the trophy has come to London.

Dunne said he was always proud to show off the music programs at CCH and St. Mary choir and orchestra school to visiting educators. But until three years ago, there was no category for orchestras at the Ontario Music Festival Association competition.

The year after the orchestra category was set up, the St. Mary school council and the CCH music parents association paid for trophies in the elementary and junior sections of the category.

CCH students say the victory was especially sweet after they came in second at the local Kiwanis Music Festival.

"It was disappointing because some of us are leaving this year to go into the IB (international baccalaureate) program at CCH. Winning the provincials was beyond hope," said second violin Joanna Mullen.

At the provincial level, ensembles are judged by recordings, rather than live performances. So the orchestra learned of the win in class from conductor and teacher Lisa Gardi.

"We all celebrated and cheered and got doughnuts," said violinist Alexandra Soumalias.

The official presentation is Friday in Hamilton. Although the students will be in exams by then, many are determined to attend.

This is the second London high school ensemble to win a major prize. Last month, Central secondary school's jazz band won gold in the jazz ensemble category at the national Musicfest Canada. Its guitarist, Brian Seligman, received an honour award.