Scholarships

McPherson String Scholarship

Created by Dr. and Mrs. Richard McPherson in 1998, the McPherson String Scholarship fund provides string players in grades 7-12 the opportunity to receive need-based assistance in pursuing training on their instrument. Scholarship winners are selected through an annual application process and receive $300 to use for private lessons or participation in a summer music camp.

This year, thirteen scholarships of $300 each will be awarded. Awards may be used towards private lessons or summer music camps. See the full details in the 2023 Rules & Regulations.

To apply, students should complete and submit the following:

  1. Student Application
  2. Student Essay describing how the scholarship will help them in their musical pursuits. Essays should be between 100-300 words and may be uploaded in the student application, or submitted in a document or in the body of an email to jodi@lafayettesymphony.org.
  3. Teacher Evaluation completed by their private teacher or ensemble director.

Paper applications are still available for download here. Mailed applications will still be accepted, but must be received (not just postmarked) by the deadline.

The application deadline for the scholarships is April 7, 2023. Students who have received a McPherson String Scholarship within the last two years are not eligible.

Notifications will be emailed from the LSO by May 1, 2023. Scholarship recipients must acknowledge their awards by phone or email no later than May 12, 2023 in order to receive the funds. The scholarship awards will be paid directly to the music camps or private music instructors of the recipients’ choice.

Questions? Contact Jodi Taylor at jodi@lafayettesymphony.org or (765) 742-6463 x 2.

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 $500 scholarship.

Each year, up to three winners, ages 22 and under, are selected from the Competition to perform a concerto selection with the Orchestra.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022-23 Keller Memorial Award Scholarship:

Aaron Du, Violin
Jack Ma, Piano

April 1, 2023 – Concert: Keller performances

Complete information can be found through the links below. Please email jodi@lafayettesymphony.org with questions.