Scholarship Competition

The California Desert Chorale Scholarship Program provides monetary scholarships to local high school seniors and community college students who demonstrate exceptional vocal ability and service to their communities. Since inception in 2002, the competition has helped 27 aspiring singers continue their vocal and choral music study at the collegiate level. Awards for the competition are funded by free-will monetary contributions from Chorale members. Award money is sent directly to the winning students’ colleges.

Designed to attract only serious and committed young singers, the competition sets rigorous demands for competitors. Students must secure the written approval of their parents and high school/college vocal instructors to be eligible to compete. Application forms include essay and short-answer questions designed to reveal the dedication and emotional connection to music each applicant possesses.

All participating students are required to prepare two audition selections. One must be a classical aria or art song. The second may be drawn from musical theater, but no pop or jazz songs are acceptable as competition repertoire. Students must perform with the piano accompanist provided. They may not use pre-recorded accompaniment.

Additionally, each student is required to participate in the entire afternoon’s educational experience, which begins with a master class and coaching session with Tim Bruneau, the Chorale’s Artistic Director, and concludes with a competitive, adjudicated recital of all applicants.

When the recital ends, a panel of three judges convenes to select the winners of the $2,500 California Desert Chorale Scholarship Award, the $1250 Gordon Wolf Memorial Scholarship Award, and the $750 Audience Favorite Award. The Gordon Wolf Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of a treasured member of both the Chorale and its Board of Directors, who dedicated inestimable time and energy to the betterment of the organization prior to his passing in February of 2013.

Past winners have gone on to prestigious colleges and to careers as professional singers and choral directors. Several have maintained their liaison with the Chorale by becoming members and singing multiple seasons with the ensemble.