Coastal Concerts music scholarship deadline looms

Clarinetist Kourtney Bastianelli appreciates everything Coastal Concerts has done for her budding music career.

The University of Delaware freshman is majoring in music education and, with the help of a $1,000 scholarship from Coastal Concerts, she's a step closer to paying for her undergraduate degree.

"I want to eventually get a master's degree, and being able to do so with as little debt as possible would be great," she said.

In addition to the scholarship money, Coastal Concerts gave Kourtney plenty of performance opportunities when she played clarinet solos last summer at several venues.

Now living in Newark at UD's main campus, Kourtney said she's thrilled with the musical opportunities available to her.

"It's so awesome," she said. "It's a completely different cultural scene."

Coastal Concerts began offering music scholarships in 2006 and has provided grants to 15 students since then.

This year, two scholarships will be awarded to southern Delaware high school students interested in music performance, music education or composition. Each $1,000 scholarship can be used to defray the expense of tuition, books, fees or travel, said Pete Harrigan of Coastal Concerts.

To apply for the scholarship, students must submit a statement of the purpose, place and time frame in which the money will be used and career plans or goals in music. Applicants must provide a synopsis of their music experience such as band, orchestra or choir, recitals, performances, honors and repertory examples. At least two letters of recommendation from professionals in a related field of music must be included as well as an audition audio CD with no accompaniment. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have already been accepted by a music school or program.

Guidelines and application forms have been sent to each southern Delaware high school music department, guidance counselor and principal. They are also available by request or at www.coastalconcerts.org. Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 21. Scholarship winners will be notified in December, Harrigan said.

Coastal Concerts is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote classical music appreciation in southern Delaware through a live concert series, outreach school programs and educational activities. The outreach program includes free concert admission to students 10-18 and one accompanying adult, Harrigan said.