AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Betty Scholtz Memorial Scholarship fund began in 2010 with the passing of a very talented and devoted chorister. For almost a decade prior to her death, Betty travelled from Tillsonburg to sing with the WFS sopranos. She studied piano and voice in her native Nova Scotia in her hometown of Kentville, as well as Acadia University in Wolfville. A nurse educator trained at Dalhousie she practiced and taught nursing in Nova Scotia and later here in Ontario. Musical theatre was another of Betty’s pleasures, both as a director and on stage. Some of you may recall Betty’s performance as one of the narrators for our ‘Dickens of a Christmas’ a few years back.

The Scholarship most fittingly combines two of Betty’s passions, music and education, offering assistance to aspiring young musicians. It is open to any Oxford County student who will be pursuing post-secondary musical training. We are very pleased that the first scholarship has been awarded.

In the early spring of 2011, the WFS Scholarship Committee sent applications to all the high schools in Oxford County. In addition to submitting an application, interested students are asked to secure a letter of reference and write an essay describing the role music plays in their lives and detailing the impact of this financial support on their ability to pursue a musical education. We received three applications. Each was ranked independently by the committee before combining scores and determining a recipient.

This year's beneficiary of the $1000.00 award, Bryce Lansdell, is a piano student from Tillsonburg currently studying at the University of Western Ontario. He received his official handshake from Kent Garrett, WFS board member, earlier this year at his convocation at Glendale High School. Although Betty’s husband Matt was unable to be present at the high school, he will be in the audience for our December concerts when Bryce is recognized as our 2011 recipient. WFS is proud to be able to support young musicians in Betty's memory.