He received an all-star award and best soloist at Fonda-Fultonville jazz fest and was chosen for the Skidmore Jazz Institute through an audition process. Additionally, Gavin has played in the Skidmore jazz institute big band and combo and the John Nazarenko combo. He also has his own band, plays in other bands for gigs, and occasionally plays at restaurants downtown. He also performs classical piano at senior citizens homes and in restaurants.

Next fall, Gavin will continue his education at Colorado University Boulder pursuing a degree in business and Jazz performance. He plans to continue performing jazz while working in his dad’s businesses.

Advice shared by Gavin for younger students in the district is this “Don’t pursue only one genre of music and be good at taking advice from people who are more experienced than you.” He also noted: “I have a musical family, my uncle was a famous musician, and my cousin is a good guitar player. The scholarship would be helpful for living in Boulder and starting a band. It will help me get better at performing, producing music as well as becoming an overall better musician with more knowledge.”

FOM is pleased to present a $500 scholarship to Gavin Hemsworth. Please help me congratulate Gavin!

At NYSMAA, he performed at level 6 all-state.  Nathaniel noted: “currently in six different orchestras which help me to improve and also allow me a chance to learn how to teach music to others.”

Next fall, Nathaniel will continue his music education at SUNY Fredonia pursuing a degree in music education and music performance. His career goals are to play in a professional orchestra and teach private string lessons.

Advice shared by Nathaniel for younger students in the district is this “find music that you enjoy playing that also motivates and challenges you to do better.” He also noted, “this scholarship will help me by supporting my music journey. It will make it easier to keep up with instrument maintenance by providing funds for important supplies such as strings and professional adjustments.”

FOM is pleased to present a $500 scholarship check to Nathaniel Providence. Please help me congratulate Nathaniel!

Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and SSHS Musical Pit Orchestra. Outside of school, she participated in the Saratoga Preparatory Orchestra and the Saratoga Youth Symphony. She was selected to participate in the All-County Orchestra, the Suburban Council Orchestra and Area All-State Orchestra. At NYSMAA, she completed at Level 6 (the highest level) and scored a near-perfect 97.

Next fall, Maddie will continue her music education at SUNY Fredonia pursuing a degree in Music Education and hopes to be a High School Orchestra Teacher.

Advice shared by Maddie for younger students in the district is this “Always try and stick with it. Music can give you a way to express yourself where words can’t.” She described her musical journey as follows: “I went from always being back of my section and never practicing, to getting first chair at music festivals, in my school orchestras, playing in the pit orchestra for my school’s orchestra, and getting into college for music.”

She also said: “This scholarship will help with tuition, instrument repair costs, new strings, and everything associated with being a musician and a teacher.”

FOM is pleased to present a $500 scholarship check to Madilyn Wilson. Please help me congratulate Maddie!