The annual Mozart Club Josephine Fenton Gifford Scholarship Award lunch was held in the Marvin House recently and five students from Chautauqua County schools were chosen for awards.
Michael Hawk, a graduate of Fredonia High School, received the first-place award. A baritone soloist and member of several chorus groups, he is the student of Daniel Ihasz. Michael was active in the school musical, NYSSMA and All County Chorus for several years and also participated in the Drama Enrichment Program in Jamestown and the Jamestown Community College Uncommoners. Michael will attend SUNY Fredonia in the fall.
Second place was presented to Alora Sherbert, a graduate of Southwestern High School. She is the daughter of Christi Sherbert of Lakewood. Alora takes vocal instruction from Marjorie Switala and will attend Ithaca College in the fall. She has been an integral part of musicals at SWCS in leading roles and helping behind the scenes as the student assistant director for Anything Goes. She also directed Broadway Blend. Alora participated in NYSSMA All State Choir, the Drama Enrichment Group and has performed solo work in many outside school productions. She hope to apply her skills on the business of music, contributing to a broadway sector for a large firm such as Disney.
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Are Alora Sherbert, John Cole, Laura Pfleuger and Ryan Salemme. Sherbert won second place while the other three received incentive awards at the annual Mozart Club Josephine Fenton Gifford Scholarship Award luncheon held at the Marvin House recently.
Three incentive awards were presented to a senior and two juniors in area high schools.
Laura Pfleuger performed vocal numbers on guitar and with piano. A graduate of Forestville Central High School, she is a soprano vocalist in both the operatic and classical disciplines. She will attend Roberts Wesleyan or Cumberland University in the fall and her goal is to be a music teacher. Laura has received awards for the national Honor Society, All County Choral, All State Choral, Chautauqua County Junior idol, Chautauqua Chambers Apprentice recipient and All County Vocal Jazz. She has also has written music for voice and guitar. Her instructors are Amanda Hall and Andy Anselmo. Laura enjoys singing for patients at the Roswell Cancer Center.
John Cole Jr., the son of John and Rosanne Cole of Dunkirk, will be a senior at Fredonia High School. His instrument of choice is the marimba but he also plays piano, snare and African drums and bells. After graduation, he hopes to attend the SUNY Fredonia School of Music and become a music teacher in percussion. He has been selected by All County Bands and NYSSMA for several years and has played in the orchestra at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, Chautauqua County Music Teachers Association at Chautauqua Institution and the summer Musical Festival at SUNY Fredonia. Recommendations come from Andrew Bennett of the High School Band and Chad Sayers, private percussion instructor.
Ryan Salemme is a senior at Jamestown High School and was recommended by Megan Murray and Katherine Derrenbacher. Ryan hopes to attend University of Notre Dame for a career in music and medicine. Richard Lindquist instructs him in the playing of the euphonium and string bass. He plays the piano and is taught by Cathy Gagliano and also plays the Suzuki violin. He was chosen for several years with NYSMMA, All State Band, Area All State and CCMTA Awards. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Salemme of Jamestown.