Applications due Jan. 15 for $1,500 scholarships from Coastal Concerts
Editor's note: A previous release has now been updated to reflect the application deadline change to Monday, Jan. 15.
Coastal Concerts is encouraging musically gifted high school students to apply for one of its competitively awarded $1,500 scholarships. For the fourth consecutive year, the Lewes-based nonprofit will make a total of $4,500 available in the form of three scholarship grants.
The annual scholarship competition is open to high school students who are pursuing studies in music performance, education or composition. Each scholarship is intended to defray expenses music students will incur, including tuition, fees and travel. High school students who reside in Delaware and the Maryland and Virginia counties on the Delmarva Peninsula are eligible to apply.
Applicants must submit a letter specifying the purpose, place and time frame in which the money will be used, and outlining career plans or goals in music. Candidates are also required to provide a synopsis of their music experience, along with at least two letters of recommendation from educators or music professionals and a CD audio recording of two contrasting selections.
For complete guidelines and application forms, go to www.coastalconcerts.org. Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, Jan. 15, and the selected candidates will be notified in February. The three scholarship recipients will be recognized Saturday, March 17, during the final performance of Coastal Concerts' 2017-18 subscription season.
In 2014, Coastal Concerts was able to expand its scholarship program from two to three awarded scholarships because of an endowment by the Dorothy and Elizabeth Scholarship Fund, established by a local couple with the Delaware Community Foundation to honor their mothers' appreciation of fine music. One of this year's scholarships, designated for a student from Sussex County, is funded by a grant from the Sussex County Council.
The annual scholarships are one element of Coastal Concerts' comprehensive commitment to promoting classical music appreciation. Other initiatives include school-based performances by professional concert artists; free youth and discounted student admission to concerts; free community lectures and performances; and collection of used but playable musical instruments for donation to local schools. Since introduction of the scholarship competition in 2006, 28 students have received awards totaling $30,000.
Coastal Concerts is in its 19th season of bringing some of the world's finest musicians to the area. All performances in the series, which runs from October to April, take place at the newly renovated Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Lewes. For more information, go to www.coastalconcerts.org.
