INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Since 2004, the Indian River Symphonic Association (IRSA) has awarded annual grants to Indian River County high school seniors who plan to major in music in a college or institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. These grants are made possible by generous donations from Symphony subscribers.
The Scholarship program is widely supported by area schools with awards determined by auditions, at which students must demonstrate abilities including tone quality, technique, lyrical phrasing, different articulations, interpretations and musical styles. Awards are also based on academic performance and letters of reference.
Samantha Bowman won the four-year 2015 Scholarship Foundation Award. Other IRSA grant winners include Valarie dos Santos, Marissa Rollins and Collin Patrick O’Rourke.
Samantha Bowman has participated in the Sebastian River High School music program, studying alto saxophone and guitar, and performing with the Honors Jazz Band and the Honors Symphonic Band. Samantha will begin her music degree at the University of Florida this fall.
Valerie dos Santos studied voice and participated in the Vero Beach High School music program, including its choir, playing cello in its orchestra, and singing in the Atlantic Children’s Chorale. Valerie will attend Brigham Young University with the goal of becoming an opera singer.
Marissa Rollins studied violin and participated in the Vero Beach High School music program, including playing the violin in its orchestra and serving as Assistant Concertmaster and librarian. Marissa will attend the University of South Florida majoring in music education with the goal of becoming a string educator.
Collin Patrick O’Rourke has participated in the Sebastian River High School music program, playing trumpet in its marching band as well as being the drum major. Collin also played in the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band. He will attend the University of Central Florida as a music education major, with the goal of completing a doctorate and becoming a music teacher at the college level.
Two previous IRSA Award winners, Tom Ingui and Melina Zohn, received 2015 Awards to continue their studies at Stetson University and Florida State University respectively.
