CSMA is excited to celebrate our 2024-2025 Merit Scholars! The Merit Scholars Program supports students who show a high degree of dedication to their craft and are looking to take their musical studies to a deeper level.
This year we honor the merits of 33 students. This select group of students is admitted to the program through annual auditions and receives additional performance, ensemble and other learning opportunities.
Music School Director Chaz Fautch is proud of the students’ achievement. He said these students are nominated by their teachers who see that the students not only show dedication to their training but go beyond the goals they’re setting.
“They just have remarkable talent,” Fautch said. “What impressed me the most is that some of these students are at the same level as professionals. In their few years of lessons and studying, they’ve already progressed to the level that a lot of professional musicians try to get. (This) includes repertoire. They’re playing pieces that are known to be some of the most challenging ever written.”
Fautch also credits the hard work of their teachers and support of their parents for the students’ success. To reach the level they have their focus requires passion, personal perseverance, a realistic understanding of what they need to contribute in order to get the results that they aspire to and love of music, he added.
Merit Scholars are regarded as ambassadors of CSMA’s Music School. Many have been accepted into some of the nation’s most prestigious music programs including The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory for Music and Berklee College of Music. This is just the beginning. Well done!
By TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton
