Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship
The Cascade Blues Association (CBA) is pleased to offer a musical scholarship in the amount of $500.00. This award is to be used for tuition only by students enrolled in a music degree program at any Oregon or SW Washington College for the 2009 Fall Term.
This scholarship was established in January 1997 in the memory of Christopher James Mesi, who passed away on July 11, 1996 at age 22 months, due to health complications stemming from a rare respiratory condition known as “Tracheal Rings.” Funds continue to be raised to promote the life and growth of this scholarship and its contribution to the field of music.
The CBA encourages anyone pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at a local college to apply.
Nathan Paulsen - 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship Winner
Written by Administrator Friday, 23 October 2009 19:42
At the September Monthly Meeting, the Cascade Blues Association was proud to announce Nathan Paulsen as their 2009 Christopher Mesi Scholarship winner. Nathan, a recent graduate of Beaverton High School, played a significant role in his school’s music department. While there, he performed in the Wind Ensemble on euphonium, horn, and trumpet, and performed in the Concert Band on trombone and tuba. He was also a member of the Marching Band, played in the Pit Orchestra for three spring musicals, the Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble, and the school Pep Band. Beaverton High’s Director of Bands, Josh Head, described Nathan as a leader with raw talent and a drive to succeed. He wrote of his “natural ability as a teacher, and has, on many occasions, lead groups of younger students through difficult passages of music with patience and maturity beyond his years”. Nathan’s tutelage and vision transformed the schools brass ensemble “from a fledgling group to a frequent performer at community events, school events, and on local radio”. As a senior, Nathan developed, and directed, The Beaver Band, a student-directed band to play at assemblies and other venues not covered by the regular school bands. He would organize gigs, schedule practices, and was in charge of getting the equipment in place. The band will continue on, so Nathan has left his imprint on the school’s music department.
Nathan described the school’s new band director as “the single most influential person in my life. Lots of people make fun of me for this, but I wish to emulate him in as many ways as possible”. He further said, “to him, teaching music isn’t a job, it’s his calling, a way of life. And through him I have realized that I have that same calling and wish to follow in his footsteps”. As for Nathan’s future in music? With his $ 500 scholarship, he will be attending the University of Oregon’s School of Music. His goal is to be a high school band director and “teach and help instill in other young people a love for music” like he has developed. We wish him well as he carries on the mission of the CBA, which is preserving, supporting and promoting music.
-- Merry Larsen
2009 Scholarship Application Process
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:42
TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION PROCESS
| Application Process Opens: | April 15, 2009 |
| Applications & all Supporting Documents Due: | July 1, 2009 |
| Selection Process Completed & Winner Notified: | August 1, 2009 |
| Funds Available for Fall 2009 after Proof of Enrollment: | August 15, 2009 |
CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
- Any high school senior or current college student pursuing a music degree.
- A student who has demonstrated commitment to school or community through involvement in activities.
- A grade point average of 2.75 or greater (attach transcript).
- Two (2) letters of recommendation: one (1) from current music teacher and one (1) from a counselor or teacher.
- Application completed and submitted by the deadline.
- Proof of college enrollment, fall 2009 term, must be submitted prior to award.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Once the application process has opened, two items will be available here for you to download: the Scholarship Info Sheet, which essentially provides a hard copy of the same information found on this page for your reference, and the Scholarship Application Form, which you must download and fill out to apply for the Scholarship.
| Scholarship Application Form | ||
| Scholarship Info Sheet |
| For application, download at: www.cascadeblues.org (see above) or write to: CBA Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 14493 Portland, OR 97293-0493 | Send completed application to: CBA Scholarship Committee Attention: Jody M. Gunn P.O. Box 14493 Portland, OR 97293-0493 |
Spring 2001 Award Announcement
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:44
In May, the CBA awarded two Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarships, in the amount of $500.00 each, to two deserving students who are pursuing a college major in music. And our winners are...The Cascade Blues Association is pleased to announce that Adam Peterson and Heather Nathan, both seniors at Hillsboro High School, were selected as the Spring 2001 Recipients of the Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship. Each student will receive $500 towards college tuition to help further their education in the field of music. The decision, as usual, was tough, but Adam's and Heather's applications stood out from the others. The CBA would like you, our members, to know a little bit about these two outstanding young musicians.
Adam Peterson
Our first scholarship winner is Adam Peterson. Adam is a graduating senior at Hillsboro High School (Hillsboro, Oregon) and will start his college career this fall at Oregon State University. He has definite plans to major in Music Education and possibly complete his Masters and Ph.D. in either Conducting or Music Education. Career goals lean toward directing instrumental music at the high school or college level, with a little dabbling in writing / arranging compositions and writing drills for marching bands.
Adam began playing the saxophone in the 5th grade and through high school has continued to mold his musical skills and leadership qualities during his three-year position as Drum Major for the marching band, and participating in the Western International Band Clinic - an honor for any music student. Adam is also a member of Hilhi's symphonic Jazz, marching, and concert bands; plays in the pit orchestra; plays piano; and has recently joined the ensemble and concert choirs. If that wasn't enough, he also gives sax lessons to middle school students and has volunteered his time to help his band teacher work with a beginning band program. Adam's band teacher calls him "irreplaceable ...a skilled musician" and has "complete confidence in his ability to become a great music educator." His math teacher says, "he is one of the 50 best students/people I have had the opportunity to teach in my 23 years of teaching. Failure to admit this student [for scholarship] would be a great loss for any organization dedicated to kids and to the future of human society." You can see now why Adam was selected as one of this year's scholarship recipients.
Heather Nathan
Heather Nathan, also a graduating senior at Hillsboro High, is our second winner of the Spring scholarship and another example of a hard working, talented music student. Heather sights her mother's passion for music as her main influence and the reason why she got involved in music, specifically with piano lessons as a child and then in the 5th grade, where she began to learn the clarinet and soon the saxophone. She is a member of the concert, marching, symphonic, and pep bands, plays in the pit orchestra and has performed in the school musical. If that wasn't enough, she also makes time for a challenging International High School program, has represented her school at the Hugh O'Brien Leadership Summer Conference and was honored by the Western International Band Clinic for the past two years. Heather's school counselor describes Heather as a "confident young woman ...who embraces a more global perspective" regarding "tolerance to different ideas and differences in people" and who embodies a greater humanitarian ethic than [the] regular student body".
Heather has recently been accepted into the music program at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and will start classes this fall. Although she plans to major is music, Heather has left her options open on what specific musical career path she will take. She states that "right now, all 1 know is I love music and feel its where God wants me in life. The question is how do I use my talent and ability to bring happiness to people."
I want to wish Adam and Heather great success in their future musical endeavors.
Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair
Fall 2000 Award Announcement
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:45
In September, the CBA awarded two Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarships, in the amount of $500.00 each, to two deserving students who are pursuing a college major in music. And our winners are...
The Cascade Blues Association is proud to announce that Jarrod Quon, a freshman at Whitman College and Elena Wolfe, a senior at Reynolds High School were selected as the Fall 2000 recipients of the "Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship". Each student will receive $500 toward their college tuition to help further their education in the field of music. The decision, as usual, was tough, but Jarrod's and Elena's applications stood out from the others. The CBA would like you, our members, to know a little bit about these two outstanding young musicians.
Jarrod Quon
Our first scholarship winner is Jarrod Quon. Jarrod is a graduate of Westview High School in Portland, Oregon and is currently a Music major at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Music classes for Jarrod began as early as the first grade but it wasn't until the fourth grade that he actually got to join the grade school band. His first instrument was the clarinet, but by the time he graduated high school, he was well versed on six different instruments: bass clarinet, alto & tenor saxophone, tuba and trombone. As a member and soloist for the Westview High Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band, as well as a singer in the concert and honor choirs, Jarrod emerged as a leader. Some of his accomplishments included first, second and third place in state band and solo competition and CoPresident of the concert choir. He also found time to perform in eight musicals, take private voice lessons and play in the Preparatory for the Portland Youth Philharmonic.
Keeping his options open for the future, Jarrod has his sights set on becoming a woodwind specialist and looks forward to several career options such as playing in the orchestra pit for Broadway musicals, being a professional studio musician or perhaps a high school or college band director. Jarrod explains that he is not sure which career path he'll follow and these are definitely not his only options, but he is sure that life without music is unimaginable and that he wants it to always be a part of his life.
Elena Wolfe
Elena Wolf is the second winner of the fall scholarship. Elena is a senior at Reynolds High School in Portland, OR, and is planning to attend either OSU or WSU in the fall. When asked to write about herself, she said "Flute and basketball... My entire life revolves around my love for these two activities, and it is my heart, skill and determination that has driven me to succeed in both. Music and basketball allow me to express myself, and they give me a sense of fulfillment that nothing else in my life can give. It is this love that motivates me to put in the long hours of hard practice needed to be successful."
And, successful she is. Elena toured through Europe with the Oregon Ambassadors of Music in 1999, was chosen to attend the Northern California Flute Camp to study with the world-renowned flutist, Carol Wincenc, participated in the All-State Honor Band, and was selected to be a featured soloist with the Mount Hood Pops Symphony Orchestra. Even with all she has accomplished, she still takes the time to give back what she has learned and is currently giving weekly music lessons to seven students in her community.
It is Elena's intentions to continue playing and teaching the flute throughout her life as well as obtaining a double major in music performance and Zoology. She is also looking forward to performing in a professional symphony and playing basketball for her college's varsity team.
I want to wish Jarrod and Elena success in their future endeavors as well as to say thank you to all the high school and college students who applied for the fall scholarship. Our next open application process will start November 1st 2000.
Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair
Spring 2000 Award Announcement
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:46
In March, the CBA awarded two Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarships, in the amount of $500.00 each, to two deserving students who are pursuing a college major in music. And our winners are...
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson, described by his guitar teacher as "someone who has a natural feel for music, a good ear, and a spirit from which his musicality easily flows", is our first winner of the spring 2000 Scholarship. A senior at Sam Barlow High School, Craig plans to attend Mt. Hood Community College in the fall and transfer to the Berklee College of Music, where he will continue his education towards a BA in Performing Arts. He is also an active volunteer at Ethos, Inc., a multicultural music center, where he teaches guitar and has helped organize a benefit concert for disadvantaged youths.
Craig's focus on music began at age six when he started taking Suzuki piano lessons. Suzuki teaches the student to play by ear rather than sight. By age 11, he decided the guitar was what he wanted to play and even though he was fully competent in sight reading, ear training and performing - mostly classical music - he began leaning his musical tastes towards something different. Eric Clapton's album, "Unplugged" was hot on the charts and Craig was introduced into the world of Blues and Blues-Rock. He began to study the great Blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as the rock side of the Blues with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, and Jimmy Page. By the time Craig turned 17, he was already trying his hand at Jazz and listening to the likes of Coltrane, T. Monk, and his biggest influence, Wayne Shorter. Craig believes that his study of Blues, Rock, Swing and Jazz has made him a well-rounded guitarist and musician and it has helped him to perform with many different types of musicians. After graduation from College, Craig has plans of becoming a working guitarist and explains that he wants to be there supporting other musicians either in the studio or on the road. He says it is a goal of his to not only perform for other artists, but also to work as a composer and a teacher of music.
Rebecca Suzanne
Our second winner of the spring 2000 scholarship is Rebecca Suzanne. A music major at Mt. Hood Community College with plans to transfer to Portland State University, Rebecca describes herself as a non-traditional college student who enrolled in college to pursue her life-long dream of a career in music. Surviving the turbulent life of an adolescent in Indiana, she learned to play the piano and, although she excelled at the keyboards and even won several contests, decided to give it up and create some social change as a community organizer and a Peace Corp Volunteer. After moving to Portland in 1991, Rebecca began taking voice lessons from Suzi Stern and most recently, Mary Kadderly, which turned her onto Jazz and expanded her interest in singing the Blues. Now, along with being a college student focused on vocal and piano, she contributes her writings to "The Woman's Journal", substitutes as a group leader for Weight Watchers, and has received a recognition award from the Hispanic Service Roundtable for her contribution to the Clara Vista housing project in the Cully neighborhood. She is committed to her musical goals and is excited about making her soul connection in music and sharing that with others through performance and teaching.
Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair
1997 Award Announcement
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:48
Kailyn Daniels
The Cascade Blues Association is pleased to announce Kailyn Daniels as the first recipient of The Christopher' Mesi Memorial Scholarship for 1997.
Kailyn is a freshman at Clackamas Community College pursuing a degree in Music and Business. She is an accomplished piano player and singer, not only with her previous high school choir, but also her church choir and the CCC Chorale. Kailyn, along with Lonnie Cline, Director of Music at CCC, traveled to Estonia in 1996 where she sang a solo by Veljo Tormis with Mr. Tormis listening in the audience. It was then she realized that music is definitely a life changing experience.
Kailyn credits her piano and voice instructors with teaching her not only the technical side of music, but allowing her to learn how to "feel" and "understand" the music. Her decision to major in Music stems from seeing how music can impact a person's life as well as her own. She believes that we can use music to reach others and help make this world a better place. Kailyn relates that, "Music can inspire everyone from the young to the old, the happy to the sad, and those just looking for answers."
The CBA encourages anyone pursuing an undergraduate degree in Music at the local community college level to apply for the Christopher Mesi Memorial Music Scholarship. Please watch the BluesNotes for information on how to apply for this award.
Love and Blues
Susan Stewart
CBA Scholarship Committee Chair
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