JacksonHoleLive sponsors Scholarships for Young Musicians
(this piece was published by Planet Jackson Hole)
Hendrix started playing guitar at age fifteen after seeing Elvis, while Ludwig van Beethoven composed his first piece at age twelve. Both also pushed through poverty while developing virtuosic musical chops. Sometimes it just takes the extra encouragement or mentor, and in extreme cases, emersion in music can even save lives. A teenager or young adult with a striking talent and visionary passion for a career in music is worthy of community attention, and there’s a new scholarship program geared towards this notion.
JacksonHoleLive—the free, all-ages concert series at Snow King Ball Park every summer—has stepped up to launch the inaugural JacksonHoleLive Music Scholarship. The scholarship is aimed to “further the ambition of aspiring young musicians.” The program will offer a $3000 cash award to one grand prize winner and $1000 cash award to one runner-up, chosen by a five-member committee that includes Steve Poole (Chair), Pete Closson, Sue Bybee, Michelle McCormick, and Mac Munro. JacksonHoleLive seeded the scholarship fund with $500, and accepted $500 challenges from community members Scott Anderson, Chip Marvin, Greg Miles & Melinda Binks, Jeff & Amy Golightly, Rachel Ravitz, the Boathouse Foundation, and one anonymous contributor.
“We did a lot of preliminary research and considered the age range very carefully,” said JacksonHoleLive co-founder Shannon McCormick. “We really think is going to be important to the young musicians in the area.”
The scholarship will be available to incoming high school freshman of the 2015/16 school year through the age of "under 21" in the 2015 calendar year. That is, born on or after January 1, 1995. Residents of Teton County, WY, Star Valley, WY and Teton Valley, ID are eligible. Aspiring musicians must complete the online application himself or herself by Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015. Applicants may submit (not required) a one-minute video along with their online application. Winners will be announced on January 15, 2016. Criteria and a scholarship application are available now at http://jacksonholelivemusic.com/scholarship/.