2019 Sam Pitcher Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced
December 21, 2018
The students are 9th graders Sarah Short and Julia Spigai, and 10th graders Evelyn Nutt and Phillip Smith. The scholarships are for $700 each to help recipients attend summer music programs. All plan to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, although Evelyn Nutt is also considering the UAF Summer Music Academy. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, goals and musicianship.
Sarah Short was also a 2017 recipient of the Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship. She is a percussionist who plays drums, marimba, and bass guitar. Sarah was selected for Southeast Honor Band this year. By attending SFAC Sarah hopes to improve her skills as a percussionist as well as take classes in piano and voice. She also hopes to teach and share with other musicians. Julia Spigai plays clarinet and tenor saxophone. She was selected for Southeast Honor Band this year, and as a freshman plays 2nd chair with the Kayhi Wind Ensemble. At SFAC Julia hopes to learn more about music theory and jazz. She aspires to being in the Clarinet Masterclass and becoming the best musician that she can be. Evelyn Nutt has studied flute, piano, and bass guitar. She received several awards before recently moving to Ketchikan and being selected for Southeast Honor Band. She hopes to study music theory and classical music in a summer music program. Evelyn’s current interest is in advancing the Flute Chamber Ensemble, but in the future she hopes to continue her studies in college in both music education and music performance. Phillip Smith is a very versatile percussionist as well as a vocalist. He was also selected for Southeast Honor Band. At SFAC Phillip hopes to gain more skills as a percussionist, and additionally learn more about jazz and vocal skills. He hopes to continue improving as a musician throughout high school and on into college. Scholarship recipients are selected by a KAAHC advisory committee consisting of ten people, including Sam’s mother. Listening to Ketchikan’s talented youth perform and audition is a pleasure. We are honored to provide support to the talented young musicians in Ketchikan! 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 bands and the McPherson jazz bands as well as The Rubber Band. Sam attended both The Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. 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 16th year, the number of scholarships awarded total 76, which results in an excess of $40,000 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 December. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the fund at any time in care of The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council (KAAHC), 330 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901. The Sam Pitcher Memorial Scholarship Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the KAAHC.
On the Web: Previous Winners
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