McPherson String Scholarship
The McPherson String Scholarship provides $300 awards to help string players in grades 7–12 continue their musical training through private lessons or summer music camps. Created by Dr. and Mrs. Richard McPherson in 1998, this fund supports students across the region through an annual application process.
Applications for the 2026 McPherson String Scholarship are now open.
The McPherson String Scholarship consists of three parts: Student Application, Student Essay, and Teacher Recommendation.
Applications are due by May 1, 2026.
Scholarship guidelines can be found here.
Keller Concerto Competition
The Allan W. Keller Memorial Award was established in 1975 to inspire and aid talented area youths in their musical aspirations. This annual competition has allowed young artists to share their musical gifts as featured soloists with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and to advance their musical studies with a monetary scholarship.
The Competition includes two divisions, Junior and Senior, with one winner selected from each. The Senior Division winner performs as a featured soloist with the Orchestra. The Junior Division winner is awarded a 30 minute LSO sponsored recital before an LSO Mainstage concert.
The next Keller Competition will take place on April 11, 2026.
View competition guidelines here
The application for this year’s Keller Competition is now closed. Please stay tuned for information regarding the next competition.
2025-26 Keller Memorial Scholarship & Concerto Competition
Congratulations to the two recipients of the 2025-26 Keller Memorial Scholarship Award to be featured as soloists with the Lafayette Symphony in April 2026:
Aria Bakhit Cello, Fauré – Elegie, Op. 24
Finnan White Oboe, R. Strauss – Oboe Concerto in D, Mvt I