(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Six students have been selected to receive Sam Pitcher Music Scholarships to attend summer music programs in 2012. The students are 7th graders Ada Castle, daughter of James and Colleen Castle, and Natalya Truitt, daughter of Phil and Eileen Truitt, 8th grader Wyatt Anderson, son of Charles and Theresa Anderson, 9th grader Sarah Gucker, daughter of Eric and Cathy Gucker, 10th grader Micah Long, daughter of Tim and Kay Long, and 12th grader Geralyn Lovell, daughter of Stephanie Lovell. The $500 scholarships are  awarded on the basis of merit, goals and musicianship. Five recipients plan to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Micah Long plans to attend Camp Electric in Nashville, TN.

2012 Sam Pitcher Scholarship Recipients
L to R, Top Row: Sarah Gucker, Wyatt Anderson, Micah Long, Geralyn Lovell, Bottom Row: Natalya Truitt, Ada Castle
Front Page Photo Courtesy Karen Pitcher

Ada Castle studies flute and vocals. Ada wants to improve on the flute and learn to play the piccolo. She hopes to get more involved in choir and in jazz. She also dances with Ketchikan Theatre Ballet and hopes to take a dance class at camp in addition to her music classes.

Natalya Truitt studies trumpet and vocals. She wants to improve her trumpet skills, especially circular breathing. She also dances with the Knightlites so hopes to take a dance class as well.

Wyatt Anderson plays the tenor sax. In addition to participating in several bands, Wyatt is also involved with theater and First City Players. Wyatt hopes to improve his improvisational skills on the sax. Someday he would like to play with a college band.

Sarah Gucker is receiving the Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship for the second time.  She has been playing flute for six years and participating in choir. Sarah recently started learning the violin. She hopes to continue to learn to play new instruments. Sarah foresees music as always being an important part of her life.

Micah Long is also a second time recipient. She is primarily interested in vocals but also plays the piano. Micah is very passionate about music. She is particularly interested in the Christian music industry. Camp Electric will allow her to explore opportunities in this field of music.

Geralyn Lovell plays saxophone and violin in addition to vocals. She has also studied African drumming. She especially loves playing sax and hopes to continue to gain more musical experiences. This will be her first time attending the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

The Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship Fund was started following Sam’s death in 2003 at age 16 from myocarditis. Sam’s passion was music. He participated in all the Kayhi and McPherson bands as well as a rock band named The Rubber Band. Sam attended both The Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. The scholarships are for Ketchikan students in grades 7 – 12 to attend summer music programs like the ones Sam enjoyed.

Two $500 scholarships were first awarded in 2004. Since then 39 scholarships have been awarded.  The primary fundraiser for the scholarships is the Sam Pitcher Memorial Concert, “An Evening of Jazz, Blues and Rock,” which usually takes place in early December. Tax deductible donations can be made to the fund at any time in care of The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Association, 330 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901. The Sam Pitcher Memorial Scholarship Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the KAAHC.  The advisory committee includes Sam’s parents and six other members.

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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