investing in our future
Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Details:
Carol Medrano was a resident of Siskiyou County and a passionate promoter of Classical Music and music education throughout the county. She served on the boards of both Red Scarf Society and Music by the Mountain. In her honor, Music by the Mountain (MbM) maintains the Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship for a student attending, or planning to attend, college as a music major in the areas of Music Performance or Music Education.
The scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000 split into two payments of $1,000 each at the beginning of the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Eligibility:
Graduating seniors of Siskiyou County High Schools who intend a college music major, or current students of College of the Siskiyous who are music majors (please note, prior recipients of the scholarship are ineligible to reapply).
Application Procedure:
Students wishing to apply for the scholarship should complete the application and submit it along with all requested documentation by the application deadline. No late applications will be considered. Applications for the 2023 winner will be be accepted in spring of 2023. Applicants can reapply each year they meet the eligibility criteria (if they are not previous recipients of the scholarship).
Applicants are encouraged to use the application questions as an opportunity to show the scholarship committee who they are as musicians and what drives them in their musical journey.
Notification and Disbursement:
The scholarship recipient will be announced in early June and will be contacted directly by a representative of Music by the Mountain. MbM requests that the scholarship recipient be prepared to perform at a MbM-hosted event.
The total award will be made in two installments. The first installment will be paid to the recipient upon submission of proof of enrollment in 12 units or more for Fall term 2022. The second installment will be made in January 2023 following submission by the recipient of a copy of the recipient’s Fall term grades and verification of Spring term enrollment. All verifications should be submitted via e-mail to info@musicbythemountain.org. In order to be eligible to receive the second installment, the student is required to have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 12 units for the fall term with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units for the spring term. The student must continue as a declared music major throughout both terms to remain eligible for the scholarship award.
Required application materials: (incomplete applications will not be considered):
Complete application, including essay questions: Click “Apply Now” button below for online application form.
Audition recordings in video format: Please submit 2 short pieces in contrasting styles that demonstrate your current level of ability (see “Recording and Upload Instructions” below).
High School and/or College Transcripts: Transcripts should be recent enough to show current courses in progress.
Letter of Recommendation: This letter should come from a music instructor or mentor who is most familiar with your artistic efforts, emailed to us at MSMUSICBYTHEMOUNTAIN@GMAIL.COM.
DEADLINE – Application deadline for 2023 will be posted in spring of 2023.
Any questions regarding your application should be directed to: msmusicbythemountain@gmail.com
RECORDING & UPLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:
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LOCATION
• You should record your video in the spirit of a live audition or recital performance. You may record in a home, school, church, synagogue, recital hall, rehearsal room, or voice studio with good natural acoustics with or without an audience.
• Please dress professionally, as you would for a recital or live audition.
RECORDING
• Please record a separate unedited video for each selection on your repertoire list.
• Your camera should record from a fixed position.
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SETTINGS
• Please note that you must select "unlisted" in the Privacy settings found under the broadcasting and Sharing Options section when uploading your video file to YouTube.
• If you select "private," adjudicators will not be able to access your submission(s). If you select “Public”, you may encounter copyright issues with YouTube.
VIDEO TITLES & DESCRIPTIONS
• Each video title should contain the performer’s name.
• In the YouTube “Description” section, please include the title and composer of your piece.
• YouTube Channel Titles & Images must NOT reveal Teacher, School, or Studio affiliations.
SUBMISSION
• In the application, provide the web link/address for each video that corresponds to the appropriate repertoire selection.
• Please double check the links you provide for each video before submitting your application.
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The following video problems would make them invalid:
• Videos revealing the teacher’s identity, school, or studio affiliation.
• Videos with “private” sharing options (see above).
• Videos that pan and zoom during performances.
• Videos using recording equipment that alters the acoustics of the venue or the sound quality of the performer by adding/subtracting reverb or altering the pitches being sung.
• Videos that are digitally altered.
2022 Scholarship Winner: Jenni Heikura
Jenni Heikura is the winner of Music by the Mountains's 2022 Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship. Jenni is 18 years old and a graduate of Mount Shasta High School. She has lived in Mount Shasta for most of her life. Jenni has always been in some sort of choir, and that has made her who she is today, as she used to be incredibly shy. Auditioning for both Mount Shasta High School’s chamber and vocal jazz choir put her out of her comfort zone, but she's learned that’s a good place to be. Jenni plans to attend College of the Siskiyous this fall as a music major before transferring to another school, and her hope is to one day become a music educator. Congratulations, Jenni!
2021 Scholarship Winner
Music by the Mountain selected Behr Marshall, graduate of Weed High School, to receive the 2021 $2,000 Carol Medrano Music Scholarship for aspiring college music majors from Siskiyou County.
Behr Marshall
Behr Marshall, graduate of Weed High School, is a phenomenal musician and vocalist, and an all around wonderful young man. He is attending the University of Hartford as a music major. We’re so glad to count him among our scholarship winners, and wish Behr all the best in college and in life!
2019 Scholarship Winners
Music by the Mountain selected Anna Fruedenburg, Yreka High School senior, to receive the 2019 $2,000 Carol Medrano Music Scholarship for aspiring college music majors from Siskiyou County. And due to outstanding applications, Music by the Mountain decided to award two $500 each special scholarships to Ian Budesa, Mount Shasta High School senior, and Asher Neitsch, high school senior at Golden Eagle Charter School.
Anna Freudenberg
Anna Freudenberg graduated from Yreka High School. She has taken piano lessons for eleven years with Catherine Darnall and has recently completed her Level X Evaluation and Distinction through the Oregon Music Teachers Association. She has been involved in chorale groups and band since fifth grade and is currently in the YHS Drama Club. She starred as Mary Poppins at YHS in March, 2019 and was also in the YHS productions Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast. She is planning to attend Biola University in the Fall, majoring in music, focusing on voice. She eventually wants to be a church music director or worship leader, and doing more with music education.
Asher Neitsch
Asher Neitsch attends Golden Eagle Charter School and is also taking music classes at the College of the Siskiyous. He plans to continue at College of the Siskiyous, studying music, and then transferring to a four year university continuing his music studies with a minor in computer science. Ultimately he would like to pursue a Master's Degree because he wants to become a music teacher at a middle school, high school or community college. He hopes to direct a jazz band, a choir, and an orchestra wherever he ends up.
Ian Budesa
Ian Budesa, a senior at Mount Shasta High School has experimented with violin, guitar, and trumpet but found his true passion with singing. He has performed with MSHS's jazz and chamber choirs. A well-rounded individual, Budesa is into art, winter sports, and baking. He started his own bakery - the Budesa Bow Tie Bakery - for his senior project, and uses his skills for fundraisers. He will be double majoring in Art and Music at UC Santa Cruz.
About the Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship Fund
Our dear friend and longtime Music by the Mountain board member Carol Medrano passed away in May 2016. Carol was a passionate supporter of bringing classical music to our area and was dedicated to promoting classical music education throughout Siskiyou County. Carol’s efforts helped to shape our organization and remembering her passion for classical music and music education continues to motivate us to succeed in our mission.
In honor of her life and dedication, Music by the Mountain founded the Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship fund which supports a yearly scholarship of $2,000 to benefit Siskiyou County high school graduates who plan to major in music or music education, and College of the Siskiyous students who are continuing a music major.
Support the CMMS Fund
To contribute to the ongoing scholarship fund, you can make a donation using the button below and indicate that your gift is in honor of Carol Medrano, or send a check to: Music by the Mountain, PO BOX 272, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067. Please make checks payable to the “Carol Medrano Memorial Scholarship Fund.”