SYO Member Scholarships

Members of the Southtowns Youth Orchestra have an opportunity to apply for the following scholarships:

• The Southtowns Youth Orchestra/Orchard Park Symphony Community Music Scholarship

• The Christopher T. and Carmen Hughes Memorial Scholarship

• The Southtowns Youth Orchestra Founder Scholarship In Recognition of Ellen Buxton

• Nan Ackerman Memorial Scholarship Competition - offered by the Orchard Park Symphony Women's Committee
  
  

Please scroll through the page for information about each scholarship, and to ensure you are eligible to apply.

If you would like to apply, please click the button below the description.

SYO/OPSO Community Music Scholarship 

This $500 scholarship will be awarded to assist in furthering a student’s musical education.

The applicant must be a member in good standing of the Southtowns Youth Orchestra.

This scholarship is offered to Sophomores and Juniors only.  All applicants must intend to continue in Southtowns Youth Orchestra.

Two letters of recommendation must accompany this application.  One from a music teacher (public or private) and one from an academic teacher.  See directions in application.

A video recording of the applicant performing one movement of the solo listed must be submitted with this application prior to the application deadline. See video link directions in the application.

If selected for the final call back, piano accompaniment is required.  This live, in-person performance will be held March 17, 2026 at Orchard Park High School.

Memorization of music is highly recommended.

All applications and recordings must be submitted by Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants who make the final call back list will be notified by email.

The committee for selection will be the Southtowns Youth Orchestra Music Director, Manager and Scholarship Chairpersons.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the SYO Spring Concert.

Christopher T. and Carmen Hughes Scholarship 

The Christopher and Carmen Hughes Memorial Scholarship is a $500 award given annually to a Southtowns Youth Orchestra member.  This award is not considered a competition, but rather an opportunity to aid a student’s music education.

Christopher Hughes was a trombonist with the SYO in its early years.  His death at an early age prompted this memorial scholarship.  Christopher’s father, Carmen Hughes, was added to the scholarship name when he passed away in 2001.  Carmen was a longtime music educator and SYO supporter.

This award is presented to a high school senior planning to study music in college, or an under class student planning to continue in SYO.

Two letters of recommendation must accompany this application.  One from a music teacher (public or private) and one from an academic teacher.  See directions to upload recommendation letter links in application.

Determining factors in the selection process will be musical potential, citizenship, and need.  The final selection will be undertaken by a committee composed of Music Director William Staebell, Conductor Emily Gervase, Orchestra Manager Patricia Miraglia, and the SYO Board President.

Please note that applications must be submitted to the Orchestra Manager by Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the SYO Spring Concert.

The SYO Founder Scholarship In Recognition of Ellen Buxton

This $500 scholarship will be awarded to assist in furthering a student’s studies in the field of music education.

The applicant must be a Senior and a member in good standing of the Southtowns Youth Orchestra.

A 2 – 3 page typed essay, double spaced, describing the applicant’s philosophy of music education must accompany this application.  See directions to submit link in application.

Two letters of recommendation must accompany this application.  One from a music teacher (public or private) and one from an academic teacher.  See directions to submit link in application.

Completed applications, essays and letters of recommendation must be submitted by Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  Incomplete applications or late applications will not be accepted.

The committee for selection will be the Southtowns Youth Orchestra Music Director, Manager and Scholarship Chairpersons.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the SYO Spring Concert.