Marcia A. Giambrone Vocal Education Scholarship

Marcia A. Giambrone Vocal Education Scholarship

About the scholarship

As a part of its mission to further the role of choral music in the Western New York community, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society has established the Marcia A. Giambrone Vocal Education Scholarship. This scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded each year to a current high school senior in Western New York who is planning to pursue a college degree in Vocal Education.

Eligibility

This yearly award will be presented to a graduating high school senior who is planning to study vocal music education in college and is currently attending school in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming county. If no vocal education students apply, the scholarship may be presented to a student studying general music education.

Applying

An essay of no more than 500 words detailing:
- Anticipated college major
- Relevant extracurricular activities
- How this financial award will help you pursue your academic/career goals
- What/who inspired you to pursue music education
One letter of recommendation from a vocal/music teacher (school or other setting)
One letter of recommendation from a principal or counselor
Verification that you'll be attending a vocal education program
Any additional materials, such as an audio recording, a list of extracurricular activities, etc.

Submitting your application

Complete and submit the online Scholarship Application Form. Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly to buffalochoralarts@gmail.com with “BCAS Scholarship” and the student's name and school in the subject line. If preferred, letters may be mailed by the educator with their signature over the seal to:

PO Box 281 Amherst, NY 14226.

Selection process

All application materials will be reviewed by a panel consisting of the current BCAS Music Director, the President of the Board of Directors (or designee), and Marcia A. Giambrone (or designee). Final decision will be made by the panel.

Scholarship timeline for 2025 - 2026

December 15: Scholarship applications open
April 1: Scholarship applications due
May 1: Scholarship winner announced
June 12: Scholarship presented at final concert

About Marcia A. Giambrone

For 36 seasons, Marcia A. Giambrone proudly served as the Buffalo Choral Arts Society's Conductor/Music Director. During her tenure, the group toured both nationally and internationally performing at such prestigious venues as the Mozarteum (Salzburg), Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris), the cemetery at Normandy (France), the Kennedy Center (Washington DC), and the Statue of Liberty on the 4th of July. She also welcomed high-profile guest composers/conductors, including Andre Thomas and Z. Randall Stroope, who composed a commissioned work for BCAS.

Ms. Giambrone began her conducting career as director of choruses at West Seneca West Senior High School in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY. In addition to classroom teaching, Marcia directed numerous Broadway musicals of excellence. Her community choral conducting career started with her appointment to the Orchard Park Chorale in 1981 as Conductor/Music Director. Subsequently, Marcia was appointed to the same position with the Buffalo Choral Arts Society in 1987. Career honors included being named one of Western New York’s Business First WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2013, Teacher of the Year from NY/ACDA, ECCME/ ECMEA, and the West Seneca Central Schools.

Following her retirement from public school teaching, Marcia taught at SUNY@Fredonia and Houghton Colleges. In addition to supervising Music Education Student Teachers during that time and leading various workshops for teachers and conductors, she also conducted numerous festival All-County and NYSSMA Area All-State choruses.

In addition to her musical interests, family, friends and sports top Marcia's list, and she is an ardent Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan.

Scholarship Application

Please make sure that your letters of recommendation are submitted before the application due date. They can be emailed directly to buffalochoralarts@gmail.com or mailed to us in an envelope with the recommender's signature over the seal.

Contribute to the Marcia A. Giambrone Scholarship Fund

Join BCAS in supporting the future vocal educators of Western New York by contributing to our scholarship fund. All donations made through this form will go directly towards helping Western New York’s future vocal educators.

Frequency

One time

Monthly

0/100

Comment (optional)