By Huewayne Watson
Music
is not a dying art in Western New York, thanks in part to Community Music
School (CMS) and the positive impact it continues to have on young aspiring
musicians. CMS recently announced the winners of its first annual Rising
Stars Scholarship Competition held in the fall. To no one’s surprise, Buffalo and
Western New York has celebrated the talents of local bands and
musicians for decades, but now gives way to a new generation of passionate young musicians,
eager and willing to succeed.
Alyssa
Warden, a senior at Cheektowaga High School was named the winner of the competition. The young mezzo-soprano sings under the tutelage of her high school music
teacher Mr. John Mowers. Her parents are proud to know that Alyssa will receive
a $550 scholarship to Community Music School where she will receive music
instruction from a professional faculty and administrative staff along with
volunteers who honestly, as part of their mission “…believe that anyone who
has a genuine interest in music can benefit from study and deserves the
opportunity to pursue it.”
Alec
Miller, a freshman at West Seneca East High School, was named runner-up. As a
youngster of many musical talents, he practices to improve his skill on the
piano, clarinet, and saxophone. His instrumental music/band director, Scott
O’Dell, at West Seneca East High School continues to guide Alec’s talents. His
parents are very pleased to know that he will receive a $225 scholarship to
further his instruction at the Community Music School.
The
Rising Stars Scholarship Competition was open to Western New York youngsters in
grades 6 – 12. The competition required that each entrant write an essay of
between 150 and 500 words which were to display a strong and inherent desire to
strive for excellence in music. The essays were judged on their creativity,
passion and personal interpretation, as well as good communications/writing
skills. Essays were judged by Kenneth Atkinson, Chair of the CMS Piano
Department, Maria Goodrich, Co-Chair of the CMS Voice Department and Cheryl
Hudson, Co-Chair of the CMS Voice Department.
Community
Music School strives to uphold its mission by recognizing several core values.
They include:
·
Focus on students and their musical and personal potential and growth
·
Respect all individuals and their confidentiality/privacy
·
Embrace diversity and uniqueness in all populations
·
Conduct the business of the School with honesty and integrity at all
times
· Act,
speak and appear professionally and appropriately in all situations
The
school was founded in 1924 as the First Settlement Music School, by members of
the Chromatic Club of Buffalo and community leaders as an adjunct to Welcome
Hall Social Settlement. Though it has been renamed, the Community Music School
continues to support the dreams young passionate musicians. Director Linda Mabry proudly states, “Last year
Community Music School (a nonprofit organization) reached 850 students through
instructional programs and another 2,640 in free or low-cost performances. CMS
believes that anyone who has an interest in music can benefit from study and
deserves the opportunity to pursue it.” Initiatives like the Rising Star
Scholarship Competition certainly guarantees those opportunities. The competition
will be held again next fall.