After a two-season hiatus caused by the pandemic, two important music scholarship and awards competitions have been scheduled. The SWFL Symphony Society organizes the auditions for student musicians for the Marilyn Van Sickle Vocal Competition Scholarships and the Jillian Prescott Music Awards.

Vocalists

On Saturday, Feb. 5, student vocalists will audition for two four-year scholarships from the Joseph L & Marilyn Van Sickle Vocal Music Scholarship Fund. One award of $3,000, and one award of $2,000 will be given to the top performers auditioning. Open to high school seniors, college students and graduate students, each vocalist must prepare a 10-minute selection of music to present. The judges have been selected for their extensive experience in vocal teaching, performing and conducting. Applications must be received by Jan. 21 to be included in the audition schedule.

Musicians

Young musicians in keyboard, strings, woodwind & brass, percussion and voice, are invited to audition for nearly $10,000 in cash awards on Saturday, April 16, at the Bower School of Music at FGCU. The Jillian Prescott Memorial Music Fund sponsors this award program that includes the five music disciplines in two age categories. Students ages 12 to 17 and 18 to 22 compete or top place in each category and each age group, with an overall award of $1,800. Applications for this competition must be received by April 8.

Full information and Application Forms can be found on the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra’s web site: https://www.swflso.org/symphony-society-scholarships-competitions/ or emailing: symphonysociety@swflso.org