The Suzanne and Charles Wells
Choral Scholarship
The Handel Week Festival Board of Directors have announced the creation of the Suzanne and Charles Wells Choral Scholarship for high school students, established in honor of Handel Week Festival founder Charles Chauncey Wells and his wife Suzanne.
Under the direction of Dr. Dennis Northway, the recipient of the Wells Choral Scholarship will get an insider’s perspective on the life of a professional musician, joining the critically acclaimed Handel Week ensemble for rehearsals and the performance of a single masterwork by George Frideric Handel during the Handel Week Festival in February/March, 2012. “This scholarship is a fantastic way both to express our gratitude to one of our organization’s founders and to recognize the talented young musicians in our community who are the future of classical music,” said Northway. This year’s winner will participate in Handel Week Festival’s performance of the Oratorio: Semele HWV 58 to be performed on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 3:00 PM. The winner will also receive a $500 stipend towards future vocal study.
To be eligible for the scholarship competition, candidates must be in their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school, recommended by their choral director, music teacher or another professional musician and be in good academic standing. Candidates should have also basic musical skills, such as the ability to sightread, and have some experience in choral singing. Applications must be submitted no later than November 15, 2011. Auditions will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Further information will be provided prior to the audition.
Scholarship rules and application form are available here.
Cassandra Coglianese, a senior at Riverside-Brookfield High School, and James Marelli, a student at Hinsdale South High School, joined the 2008 Handel Week Festival Chorus and Orchestra for rehearsals and the performance of Handel's exquisite Anthem for the Funeral of Queen Caroline.
"Although we originally intended to offer only one scholarship, both of these musicians demonstrated such a high level of musicianship that we felt they both deserved to win," said Dennis Northway, Handel Week's artistic director.
Adam Gruber, a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, was honored as the 2008 Wells Choral Scholar for the Handel Week Festival. He was also named an E. Power Biggs Fellow of the Organ Historical Society. He has performed on the live broadcast of �Introductions� on the Chicago radio station, WFMT.
Mr. Gruber, a student of Dennis Northway of Chicago, has been playing piano and organ since the age of eight. He has also studied theater organ with Jelani Eddington and John Ferguson. He has served as interim Parish Musician for St. Simons Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights.
Rachael Wilson is a senior at Oak Park River Forest High School. She was born in Rome, Italy. She was delighted to receive the Wells Choral Scholarship! Rachael loves classical singing and sings with the choir at school. This fall, she sang with the IMEA choir. Rachael has also played the role of Fantine in Les Miserables. She would like to thank the scholarship comittee as well as her parents, Barbara and Andrew, for their support.
Caitlin Emma Fallahay is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest School. Caitlin has been studying voice for eight years with University of Chicago music teacher, Mrs. Ellen Everson. She recently performed in the role of �Lola� in the OPRF High School Summer 2010 production of Damn Yankees.
She is the oboist for the OPRF High School Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Caitlin would like to thank all the members of her family, extended family, Mrs. Everson and Dr. Northway for all of their support and encouragement.
James Wang attends Riverside-Brookfield High school. He sings baritone and performs in the madrigal singers group at RBHS. He performed four years with the Illinois Music Educators Assn. (IMEA) District Choir and was chosen for IMEA All-State Honors Choir in 2011. He also attended St. Olaf Choir Camp. James has played piano for ten years.