27 May 2008

Gentlemen,

It is that time of year when students are heading for summer jobs and graduates are finalizing their career plans.

It is also the time of the year when most AMCofA Choruses take some time off to enjoy the season and prepare for next year's events.

The current scholarship program was particularly satisfying this year for everyone due to circumstances. The Upper Midwest District Big Sing was being hosted by AMCofA's chorus from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They have been very consistent in working with Dr. Schwartzhoff of the University of Wisconsin to find potential candidates for this scholarship program. This year, again, three of four awards are being provided to students from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire. All chorus members participating in this year's Big Sing program had the unique opportunity to see and hear some of the AMCofA's scholarship winners perform during Saturday morning's presentation and at Intermission during the concert. As Dr. Schwartzhoff very appropriately said; "You men have an opportunity to see what your investment (scholarship donations) is buying." As it turned out chorus members had to be very positively impressed as it helped provide an absolute record amount of donation funds for future scholarship awards. My thanks go to everyone in attendance for your generosity.

Each year there is a small group of people from within AMCofA choruses who donate their time to perform the task of evaluating all sponsored candidates. This involves examining each student's school transcripts, listening to a recorded example of their musical skills, learning what others say about them and examining each candidate's stated goals and dreams. From all of this each evaluator places all candidates in order from first to last in each of these categories. The sum total of these scores from the evaluators is combined and determines the successful candidates. It also determines that one candidate who is determined to be best overall. This student receives the AMCofA Axdahl Award. This special recognition is accompanied with a larger cash award. My thanks to those members who agree to and perform this task each year.

Now it is on to identifying more candidates, determining another group of potential scholarship recipients and therefore supporting their goals for a musical future.

Regards,
Robert H. Torborg
AMCofA Scholarship Chairman