NCC Music Award to Graduating Senior

North Country Chorus is pleased to offer an award of $1000 to a graduating high school or home- schooled senior, from the NCC membership area of northern Vermont and New Hampshire, in order to further the student’s musical development at the college level. Qualifying students must have demonstrated talent and proficiency in music and involvement in school and/or community performance groups.

The award will be presented at the Spring North Country Chorus performance. The recipient may be invited to perform at a future NCC concert.

Complete the application and return it along with the attachments listed below. All material must be emailed or postmarked no later than April 19, 2024. Notification of the award will be made via email by April 23, 2024.

Mail to:
North Country Chorus P.O. Box 4361
St. Johnsbury VT 05819
Or email to Heather Alger:
Questions? Email Heather Alger:

Attachments:

  1. A short essay (300 words or less) on the importance of music in your life, your plan for next year, and how the award would help you meet your goals
  2. A copy of your college acceptance letter
  3. A short letter of endorsement (300 words or less) from your guidance counselor, principal, or advisor, addressing your academic record, character, motivation and sense of responsibility. This may not be written by a family member.
  4. A short letter of endorsement (300 words or less) from your music teacher addressing talent, diligence, musical growth, and accomplishment.

Spring 2024
During its recent 75th spring concert celebrating the choral music of Leonard Bernstein, the North Country Chorus presented two music awards to two area high school seniors to help them further their musical education. Ryan Carpenter of North Country Union High School in Newport, VT received the North Country Chorus High School Music Award of $1000. A special Board Appreciation Award of $500 went to Siri Jolliffe of St. Johnsbury Academy.

In presenting the awards, North Country Chorus co-president, Nicolas Anzalone, noted that Carpenter's vocal instructor said that he was “without a doubt the most promising baritone I have ever taught in over 30 years of teaching” and added that “in addition to a naturally beautiful voice, he also consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, curiosity, and persistence in pursuit of his musical studies.” Carpenter is in his high school Jazz Band, Pep Band, Select Choir, and Back-to-Basics Ensemble. Carpenter says “it feels as though music has chosen me just as much as I have chosen music.” He will be attending New England Conservatory to study vocal performance in the studio of Michael Meraw.

St. Johnsbury Academy music director Alan Rowe commended Jolliffe as an “invaluable anchor” in the soprano section of the Academy's select vocal ensemble, The Hilltones. She has also sung with the North Country Chorus, including this concert where her award was presented. Jolliffe's musical pursuits are diverse. In addition to voice and song-writing, she plays flute, ukulele, guitar, piano, and mandolin, and is active in multiple bands, including the award-winning Kingdom All Stars. She has also starred in many musical productions at the Academy, including her upcoming role as Sandy in their production of “Grease.”
 

Spring 2023
The award recipient this year was Aden Marcotte from St Johnsbury Academy. He is going to Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he will study music.

Spring 2022
The award recipient this year was Henry Sipples from St Johnsbury Academy. He has sung with NCC. He is going to Concordia College in Minnesota where he is studying music.

Spring 2020 and 2021
NCC was on full hiatus due to the pandemic.

Spring 2019
The first award recipient was Kaci Cochran, a senior at St Johnsbury Academy. Kaci had joined us as an instrumentalist in several NCC performances. She continued her studies at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, majoring in music.

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