National Scholarship Competition by Bel Canto, a Rhode Island-based organization
Young American opera singers (aged 21-36) should be aware that Bel Canto is offering over $15,00 in scholarships.  Auditions for the 24th Annual Vocal Competition will be held  in Providence, RI on Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30, 2011, as well as earlier at Northwestern University and the University of Texas, Austin.  The deadline for application for an audition in Providence is Friday, September 30.  Applications may be requested by email to Mr. Ronald DiPanni, Chairman/Audition Committee, 55 Tremont Street, Cranston, RI 02920.
Chopin Club Scholarships

Note: SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY TO THOSE MEETING MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, AS SPECIFIED IN THE SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES BELOW.

SCHOLARSHIP POLICY
The Scholarship Committee's first priority is to give merit-based awards to graduating Chopin Student Musicians who intend to major in music in college.  When additional funds are available and financial need is demonstrated, the Committee considers funding for continuing college undergraduates, for professional musician members pursuing further musical development, and for graduate students.

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
In order to be eligible for an award, a graduating Chopin Student Musician, a continuing college undergraduate, or a graduate student must have been an active member of the Chopin Student Musicians Club for at least two years.  An adult applicant must have been a member of the Chopin Adult Club for at least two years and must plan to remain a member of the club.

Adult applicants must establish financial need before any monies are awarded. Adult applicants who are professional musicians are required to present a specific project designed to further their musical development.

Awards are considered whether or not applicants have received past support from the Chopin Club. To request an application or to have questions answered, please contact the Scholarship Committee Chair, in time to complete and submit an application by March 1st.

The Scholarship Committee chair is
Susan Kelley
199 Rochambeau Avenue
Providence, RI 02906
(401)-421-4076
New Scholarship for pianists
The Mary K. Hail Scholarship Award auditions were held on June 25th at the Mary K. Hail Music Mansion.  This was the first such award, open to pianists from Rhode Island, sponsored by the Friends of the Mary K. Hail Music Mansion.  

The Scholarship Award was divided among two outstanding young pianists:
1) Jonathan Audette:  Music major at URI entering his Junior Year and student of Dr. Manabu Takasawa.
2) Nikita Zabinski: entering High School Senior, student of Irina Tchantcheva,  and a member of Chopin Club's Student Club.    

Each of the two co-winners was awarded a scholarship prize of $2500.  Runner-up applicants received an honorarium of $200.

The jury consisted of Chairperson Barbara Speer, Don Rankin, and Philip Martorella, all members of the Chopin Club.  President of the Friends of the Mary K. Hail Music Mansion, Dr. Samuel J. Chester, and Anthony DelVecchio were present and actively involved in the events of the day.
Scholarship Awards 2011

2011 Awards were awarded  to three former members of the Chopin Student Musicians Club:

Max Davis. Max received the Chopin Club Student Musicians award, which is given to a high school senior who is going on to a college or conservatory as music major.

Joseph Godfrey. Joseph will be working on a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of South Carolina.  He is a performer, composer and arranger.

Mo Tian.  Mo will be attending Indiana University Jacobs School of Music for piano performance, in the Performers Diploma Degree program.  Many of you may have had the pleasure of hearing Mo play at Chopin Club meetings.