2021 Scholarship Information and Application can be found at the link below
(your choice of format - pdf or doc)
Applications are due on or before May 15th, 2021.
2020 Scholarship Recepients: Alex Zappavigna & David Salce
The Oneida Area Civic Chorale has awarded its 2020 Senior Scholarships to David Salce and Alex Zappavigna. Both recipients are senior students at Rome Free Academy. The Chorale offers the scholarships to area high school seniors who have displayed musical talent in school and community performances and plan to engage in musical study beyond high school, either as music majors or in extracurricular areas. Each recipient will receive $500 toward his future study of music.
David Salce, of Fairway Lane in Rome, plans to attend the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and major in Music Education. Primarily a vocalist, Salce is also an accomplished baritone saxophonist. Throughout his career at RFA, he has taken advantage of all possible musical opportunities, including Concert Choir, Academy Singers, Select Choir, Cabaret, Wind Ensemble, and Marching Band. He has also been active in RFA musicals, and was set to perform the lead role of Jack Kelly in Disney’s Newsies in their April production. Salce has participated in the NYSSMA Solo Festival throughout high school, and has been a part of Area All State, Conference All State and All State groups. Outside of school, he has shared his musical talent by performing the National Anthem at such events as the Veterans’ Memorial Run at Griffiss Institute and America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk, and with the RFA Select Choir at Wreaths Across America. Throughout his high school years, Salce has studied voice with Michelle M. Madonia-Rushford, Vocal Music/Choir Chair at RFA, who states, “Since I have known David, I have watched him grow into an incredibly talented musician.” Eventually, Salce hopes to complete a Doctoral Degree in conducting.
Alex Zappavigna, of Bel Air Drive, Rome, “...has a musical, social, and emotional maturity that is beyond the level of most high school students,” according to Jake Meiss, Director of Bands at RFA. Meiss was Zappavigna’s teacher in many of his musical pursuits during high school, including Wind Ensemble and Music Theory. Zappavigna plays trombone, upright and electric bass, tuba and euphonium, and has also served as section leader/director in groups including Marching Band, Pep Band, Rhapsody Show Choir, Jazz Band, and Student Alumni Cabaret. He participated in NYSSMA Solo Festivals in each of his high school years, and was a member of Area All-State Band and Conference All-State Symphonic Band in 2019. In addition, he has played in the pit band for the RFA Musicals. Zappavigna is active outside the school setting, playing in the pit bands for local theater group Summerstage and other area high schools. In the fall, he plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at either Ithaca College or SUNY Fredonia, and eventually earn a Master’s Degree.
The Oneida Area Civic Chorale is pleased to award scholarships to these talented seniors, and wishes them both success in their future musical pursuits.
David Salce, of Fairway Lane in Rome, plans to attend the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and major in Music Education. Primarily a vocalist, Salce is also an accomplished baritone saxophonist. Throughout his career at RFA, he has taken advantage of all possible musical opportunities, including Concert Choir, Academy Singers, Select Choir, Cabaret, Wind Ensemble, and Marching Band. He has also been active in RFA musicals, and was set to perform the lead role of Jack Kelly in Disney’s Newsies in their April production. Salce has participated in the NYSSMA Solo Festival throughout high school, and has been a part of Area All State, Conference All State and All State groups. Outside of school, he has shared his musical talent by performing the National Anthem at such events as the Veterans’ Memorial Run at Griffiss Institute and America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk, and with the RFA Select Choir at Wreaths Across America. Throughout his high school years, Salce has studied voice with Michelle M. Madonia-Rushford, Vocal Music/Choir Chair at RFA, who states, “Since I have known David, I have watched him grow into an incredibly talented musician.” Eventually, Salce hopes to complete a Doctoral Degree in conducting.
Alex Zappavigna, of Bel Air Drive, Rome, “...has a musical, social, and emotional maturity that is beyond the level of most high school students,” according to Jake Meiss, Director of Bands at RFA. Meiss was Zappavigna’s teacher in many of his musical pursuits during high school, including Wind Ensemble and Music Theory. Zappavigna plays trombone, upright and electric bass, tuba and euphonium, and has also served as section leader/director in groups including Marching Band, Pep Band, Rhapsody Show Choir, Jazz Band, and Student Alumni Cabaret. He participated in NYSSMA Solo Festivals in each of his high school years, and was a member of Area All-State Band and Conference All-State Symphonic Band in 2019. In addition, he has played in the pit band for the RFA Musicals. Zappavigna is active outside the school setting, playing in the pit bands for local theater group Summerstage and other area high schools. In the fall, he plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at either Ithaca College or SUNY Fredonia, and eventually earn a Master’s Degree.
The Oneida Area Civic Chorale is pleased to award scholarships to these talented seniors, and wishes them both success in their future musical pursuits.