Today, Ms. Kirby and I are very proud to share with you that Kaya McNurlen, Alan Song, Aaron Wolz, and Nathan Zhou have all been announced as winners in the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs “Virtuoso Club” Camp Scholarship Competition.  The competition had its largest field of participants to date, and is awarding a total of $5,000 to the 10 overall winners.  We are thrilled to have 4 of those 10 students be from West County Strings, and for them to be able to use those funds to further their music education this summer!

Kaya McNurlen (8th grade) performed Concerto No. 1 in A Minor by J.B. Accolay.

Alan Song (9th Grade) performed the 1st Movement of Concerto No. 2 in G Major by J. Haydn.

Aaron Wolz (9th grade) performed Spinning Wheel by N. Rubenstein and the Courante from Suite No. 1 in G Major by J.S. Bach.

Nathan Zhou (9th grade) performed Concerto No. 1 in A Minor by J.B. Accolay.

Kaya, Alan, Aaron, and Nathan each worked exceptionally diligently for months to prepare for this single opportunity, and we are so thrilled that their hard work earned them each a victory.  But even more importantly, the competition served as a goal, and that goal fueled focused learning and growth that I don’t think we could’ve accomplished without something concrete to look forward to on the horizon.  This competition is open to anyone grades 7-12, and we would love to have even more of you participate in it next year!

But for now, make sure you congratulate Kaya, Alan, Aaron, and Nathan next time you see them.  They’ve earned it!