Potomac Church Offers College Scholarships To Young Musicians

Hey Potomac musicians – be on the lookout this summer for auditions for a new music scholarship offered by the in Potomac.

The church is offering up to four scholarships for young singers in grades 10 through 12 during the 2012/2013 school year. Applicants need not be members of the church, and are not required to claim any religious affiliations. The scholarships will be $500 per semester, or a total of $1,000 per school year, and will be paid directly to a Maryland College Investment Plan 529 account that students set up with T. Rowe Price at no charge. 

Students selected for the scholarship program will sing in the church choir and play during the handbell choir during Wednesday night rehearsals and Sunday morning services. The program is designed to assist students in developing sight-reading skills and add performance opportunities, while increasing college savings. Geneva Presbyterian Church hopes to award one scholarship to each voice part – soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

“In addition to the financial contributions that Geneva will make to these students' higher education, we offer these students performance and leadership opportunities and experience. By performing with our choirs, these students will also benefit Geneva's worship with their voices and expertise,” said John Widmann, director of music at the church. “In benefitting the community, we did not want to limit the scholarships, or limit our responses by placing restrictions on applicants' religious preferences.”

The scholarship is being funded by a number of gifts, according to Reverend Anne Benefield. Several of these gifts were made in the memory of Connie Strain, one of the original members of the church.

Auditions will take place in late August. For more information or to apply, contact John Widmann at jwidmann@yahoo.com.