(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Four Ketchikan students have been selected to receive 2013 Sam Pitcher Music Scholarships. The students are 11th grader Jillianne Fazakerkey, daughter of Glen and Elisabeth Fazakerley, 10th grader Hana Lee Oshima, granddaughter of Steve and Grace Kinney, 9th grader Kaileigh Krosse, daughter of John and Patricia Krosse, and 9th grader Lora Starr daughter of Charley and Cindy Starr. The scholarships are for $500 each awarded on the basis of merit, goals and musicianship. Jillianne plans to attend Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, and the other three recipients plan to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

Left to right, Kaileigh Krosse, Lora Starr,
Jillianne Fazakerley, and Hana Lee Oshima.
Photograph by by Gail Klein

Jillianne Fazakerley plays piano, trumpet and trombone. She has been selected for Southeast Honor Band and All Alaska Jazz Band. Jillianne would like to be a worship leader and continue playing, sharing and teaching music with as many people as possible.

Hana Lee Oshima has studied classical piano, and alto saxophone in both Ketchikan and Kanayama, Japan. She was recently selected for Southeast Honor band. She hopes to continue to be involved with music in some way throughout her life.

Kayleigh Krosse plays piano and violin. She previously received a scholarship to attend Cornish University Summer Orchestra in Seattle, WA, and played first violin in the orchestra for Ketchikan’s fall musical.  She plans to pursue musical studies in college.

Lora Starr Plays trumpet and is learning piano and trombone. She plays with both the Kayhi Jazz Band and McPherson’s Soundwaves. Lora hopes to continue learning new instruments, and hopes to continue her music studies in college.

As in past years the committee had yet again a difficult time choosing this year's scholarship winners from a number of high quality applicants.  The committee strongly encourages those who were not chosen this year to re-apply next year.   Six people in addition to Sam’s parents are members of this advisory committee. Ketchikan is so lucky to have such a strong music program with so many dedicated youth participating!

The Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship Fund was started following Sam’s death in 2003 at age 16. Sam’s passion was music. He participated in all the Kayhi and McPherson bands as well as 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. In this 10th year, the number of scholarships awarded total 43, which results in an excess of $20,000 being distributed to recipients.  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.

Source of News: 

Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship Fund

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