Scholarship Opportunities

Since 1961, the QCSO has administered a yearly scholarship program through which funds are awarded QCSYE members who make extraordinary musical and extra-musical contributions to the success of the youth ensemble program. Recipients of awards are expected to use the funds for continued pursuit of their musical studies. Contributions from civic organizations, community patrons, and the QCSO Board of Trustees and Volunteers for Symphony all help to support this scholarship program. Scholarship eligibility, factors for consideration, application process, and decision timeline for each QCSYE scholarship are announced each season.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

John and Barbara Henigbaum Scholarship

Established through a gift from Barbara Henigbaum and family, this award honors John Henigbaum’s service as Principal Horn with the Tri-City Symphony (now the Quad City Symphony Orchestra) and is intended to facilitate the summer education and study of up to two exceptional Quad City area brass students in grades 6-11.

Scholarship Awards:
2  $425 scholarships (1 scholarship for grades 6-8, and 1 for grades 9-11)

Scholarship Timeline:
March 15th  – Application and video submissions due
April 5th – Announcement of awards

Application:
1. Online Application Form
2. Band/Orchestra Teacher Recommendation Form
3. Between 3-5 minutes of a video recording that best represents your playing. (All-state and Honor Band excerpts encouraged)

Adjudication Process:
A committee of QCSO musicians will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

1. Strength of Application Essay/Recommendation.
2. Strength of Musicianship as demonstrated by the video recording.

Please Note:
*Students must indicate which concert band/orchestra camp they would like to attend.
*Students must be members of their school band program.
*Students without a teacher recommendation will not be considered.
*Preference given to students who reside in a 20 mile radius of the Quad City area. 
*Awards will be paid directly to the music camp of the student’s choice.

CLICK HERE to apply for the John and Barbara Henigbaum Scholarship.

Judith Katz Memorial Scholarship

This award was established in 1999 by Ruth Evelyn Katz in memory of her daughter, Judith, who died in 1997.  The award is intended to recognize the highest achievement by a Youth Symphony Orchestra member in the performance of his or her instrument. Candidates for the award must be a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra and plan to study music in college. Recipient will be identified by audition. (click for more information).

$6,500

Marino-Ohmes Concertmaster Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by Dawn Marino-Ohmes in recognition of the importance of the orchestra’s concertmaster and the responsibilities and leadership that he or she provides to the entire orchestra’s membership. Dawn is a former concertmaster of the Quad City Youth Symphony and Dubuque Symphony Orchestras and was Associate Concertmaster of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. This is automatically awarded to the concertmaster(s) of the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra each year.

$750

Ada Marie Snyder Memorial Scholarship

This is a scholarship in memory of Ada Marie Snyder. Its purpose is to assist students with a financial need who have significant musical talent. The scholarship funds are to be used for those expenses related to development as a musician (i.e. summer music camp, purchasing a new instrument, etc.). The funds are distributed on a three-year rotation to students of the upper strings, lower strings and woodwinds/brass in any QCSYE ensemble. 2022-2023: Winds + Percussion

Robert A. and Patricia Hanson Scholarship

This award was established in 2001 through a gift by Robert A. Hanson and his wife Patricia to the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. Robert A. Hanson was president of Deere & Company. Scholarships are awarded to members that are highly involved in all aspects of musical life including school ensembles, community ensembles, QCSYE volunteerism, QCSO concert attendance, and great attendance at QCSYE rehearsals. Scholarship is often awarded to seniors to pursue musical studies.

Four $1,000 Awards (NOTE: For the 2023-2024 season, 3 awards of $1,150 will be distributed.)

Henry and Beatrice Neuman Memorial Scholarship

Beatrice and Henry Neuman are parents of Eloise Smit, former youth orchestra chairman. In June 1983, the four children of Henry and Beatrice Neuman established a scholarship fund in honor of their parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. The Neuman family has surrounded themselves with music for many years and continues to demonstrate loyalty to the QCSO. Eloise served on the QCSO Board of Trustees for 38 years and remains an Honorary Trustee. The scholarship is awarded to a member of Prelude Strings, Concert Orchestra, or Youth Philharmonic Orchestra to continue musical development in the QCSYE program (i.e. music lessons, summer music camps, instrument purchase, etc.).

$500

James Dixon Memorial Scholarship

James Dixon was Music Director and Conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. He also conducted the Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1966-1984 and was a trumpet player. This award was established in 1994 upon his retirement from leadership of the QCSO. Scholarship is awarded to a brass player in the QCSYE program that is highly involved in all aspects of musical life including school ensembles, community ensembles, QCSYE volunteerism, QCSO concert attendance, and great attendance at QCSYE rehearsals.

$250

Etude Club Scholarship

Established in the spring of 2006, The Etude Club Scholarship is in memory of Rosalie Murphy, a long-time violinist in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Two awards are given to string players. Preference is given to 11th grade students. Recipients are asked to give a short performance at either the May or October Etude Club meeting.

Four $200 Awards

Volunteers for Symphony Century Scholarship

Members from any of QCSYE are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which is designed to promote student volunteerism and leadership.

Two $500 Awards

Atlee Hendricks Memorial Scholarship

Atlee Hendricks was a physician in the Quad Cities. Upon his death a youth orchestra fund was created to assist with financial aid. These scholarships will be awarded through the Financial Aid process.

2023 – 2024
Scholarship Recipients

 

 

Judith Katz Memorial Scholarship
Jack Stremlow, piano

Marino-Ohmes Concertmaster Scholarship
Xin-Yan Chan, violin
Kathryn Jones, violin

Ada Marie Snyder Memorial Scholarship
Brianna Baluyut, violin

Robert A. and Patricia Hanson Scholarship
Samuel Huffaker, violin
Mei Lin McDermott, violin
Jack Stremlow, piano

Henry and Beatrice Neuman Memorial Scholarship
Brianna Baluyut, violin

James Dixon Memorial Scholarship
Laura Carrico, trumpet

Etude Club Scholarship
Connor Buchanan, violin and harp
Isabella Moore, cello
Luciana Pagán Nuñez, violin
Milla Wiechert, cello

Volunteers for Symphony Century Scholarship
Samuel Huffaker, violin
Milla Wiechert, cello

Katz Scholarship Audition Information

The Judith Katz Memorial Scholarship is a major scholarship intended to “set a standard,” to encourage higher achievement among youth ensemble members, and to further the goals and mission of the Youth Symphony Orchestra. It is awarded on the basis of a special juried audition each year to a senior member of the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The amount of the Katz Scholarship is determined each year by the Quad City Symphony Trust.

 

Application Requirements

All candidates for the Katz Scholarship must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant is a senior in high school.
  • Applicant may apply on only one instrument and must play that instrument in YSO.
  • Applicant must express an intent to study music at a college, university or conservatory, and maintain full-time student status.
Audition Requirements

To audition for the Katz Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Each applicant must perform 2 contrasting pieces (both style and composer) and may include no more than one solo piece (without accompaniment).
  • Each piece must be at least 5 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes long based of the length of the piece without any cuts.
  • If one piece or selection is shorter than five minutes, a second movement from the same piece may be added and considered as one piece. (i.e. a 3-minute movement and a 5-minute movement from the same piece would be considered one piece of 8 minutes).
  • Piano accompaniment must be provided for all pieces writing with accompaniment and the applicant must provide the accompanist.
  • Memorization is not required.
  • The jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship if the jury feels that the proper level is not met.
  • The audition is not open to the public.
  • Jury includes QCSO Music Director, members of the QCSO, and/or guest adjudicators.
  • Scholarship will be paid directly to the school in equal payments for four years.

Funding for the QCSO website provided by the Scott County Regional Authority