VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ABOUT
The Saratoga Voices Vocal Scholarship Program was started in 1998 by artistic director Rand Reeves and has become fundamental to Saratoga Voices’ mission to promote and foster singing among students. Saratoga Voices annually awards two scholarships to the top scorers of the Vocal Scholarship Competition. We invite seniors from area high schools in New York’s Capital Region to participate.
The students do not need to plan a career in music, but the scholarships are intended to facilitate the continued study of singing. The awards are forwarded as a scholarship to the institutions of higher learning to which the students have been accepted. Winners also have the opportunity to perform in a future Saratoga Voices concert and showcase their talent to the community. Scholarship winners who have chosen a career in music have returned to Saratoga Voices to perform as soloists in choral concerts.
Awards
First place $1,500
Second place $1,000
Competition
Preparing for the Competition
Two works are to be prepared: the first either from the current NYSSMA Manual level 6, or a similar work at level 6 of the NYSSMA Manual, or higher. This piece must be from the Classical Music repertoire. The second work is of the student’s choosing and can be a Musical Theater selection (limited to selections from the Golden Age of Broadway) but may not be Commercial Music. The works are to be performed from memory. Applicants must provide their own accompanist. Taped accompaniments are not allowed.
The Vocal Scholarships Competition
The Vocal Scholarship Competition will take place at the end of May or the beginning of June in Saratoga Springs, NY. Applicants receive time slots for their performances and are judged by two music or voice teachers who are active in the Capital Region. The adjudicators provide performance evaluations for all students who sing, regardless of their winning status.
HOW TO APPLY
Please contact Saratoga Voices for further information
Email: saratogavoices@gmail.com
Phone: 518-416-4060
Mail: Saratoga Voices, PO Box 76, Burnt Hills, NY 12027
VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Sophie Styles | 2024 |
| Patrick Driscoll | 2024 |
| Joshua Hoyt | 2023 |
| Emma Nobes | 2023 |
| Maria Sablich | 2022 |
| Shea DeWan | 2022 |
| Maxwell Novik | 2022 |
| Theodore Van de Ven IV | 2021 |
| Brigid Mack | 2021 |
| Zachary Simpson | 2020 |
| Alexa Rahman | 2020 |
| Sophie Mathis | 2019 |
| Abigail Evans | 2019 |
| Phoebe Reuther | 2018 |
| Nicholas Conti | 2018 |
| Alicia Esposito | 2017 |
| Marissa Scotti | 2017 |
| Kaeli Heffner | 2016 |
| Marissa Scotti | 2016 |
| Emily Martin | 2015 |
| Jacob O’Shea | 2015 |
| Ashley Marie Rickson | 2014 |
| Nicole Rizzo | 2014 |
| Joseph Davila | 2013 |
| Lauren Silberstein | 2013 |
| Rebecca Iris Rogers | 2012 |
| Alexandra Rizzo | 2012 |
| Dan Lyng | 2011 |
| Kara Cregin | 2011 |
| Margaret VanNorden | 2010 |
| John Leighton | 2010 |
| Margaret Flanigan | 2009 |
| Sean Teeter | 2009 |
| Rhiannon LaCrosse | 2008 |
| Siddharth Dubey | 2008 |
| Laura MacAvoy | 2007 |
| Alexander Turpin | 2007 |
| Emily Foster | 2006 |
| Leila Gheiter | 2006 |
| Trevor Strader | 2005 |
| Mary Kate vom Lehn | 2005 |
| Elizabeth Picker | 2004 |
| Jesse Conti | 2004 |
| Peter Marler | 2003 |
| Julie Norman | 2003 |
| Emalie Savoy | 2002 |
| Hannah Lewis | 2002 |
| Julie Giguere | 2001 |
| Joanna Koslowsky | 2001 |
| Laura Puzio | 2000 |
| Patrice Godshalk | 2000 |
| McCaela Curran | 1999 |
| Laura Longe | 1999 |
| John Bragle | 1998 |
| Rebecca Minor | 1998 |
“I really appreciate the opportunity the Oratorio Society gives to High School singers through the Spring competition. Music and singing are so important to me and it really was a wonderful compliment to be recognized during this competition. I leave for college on Tuesday to further pursue my acting and singing and I want to thank you again for the scholarship money. The Oratorio Society does great work instilling confidence in young singers.”
Zachary Simpson
2020 Winner of Burnt Hills Oratorio Vocal Scholarship