The Charlotte Chorale announced two winners of the R. Bruce MacGregor Memorial Scholarship.
The first place winner of a $3,000 college scholarship is Frank Sanders. The second place winner of a $1,000 scholarship is Parker Williams. Both are students at Port Charlotte High School.
Dr. William Dederer, artistic director of The Charlotte Chorale said, “We frequently hear outstanding young musicians at our annual scholarship auditions, but these two young men were superlative. Not only did they demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency on their respective instruments, but also a mature musicality uncommon at the high school level.”
Frank Sanders’ music career began when his grandparents gave him a small Yamaha keyboard, and by the 6th grade he had learned to play it. That same year he began the saxophone and joined the school band. Though “self-taught” is the term he uses to explain the next 5 years, “much influence came from my amazing elementary school music teacher and mentor, Mr. John Jordan,” said Sanders.
Frank continues, “Saxophone and piano were my only instruments until high school, where the fertile atmosphere set by another great influence of mine, Mr. Jose Lopez, allowed me to expand and learn many different things. I am now graduating from his program having four years as principal clarinet in the wind orchestra, French horn and double bass in the symphonic band, lead alto saxophone in the jazz band, center snare in the marching band, and solo concert piano under my belt. Other connections have led me to play trumpet, trombone, flute, and much percussion in community bands and orchestras. If it weren’t for my parents and grandparents being behind me, supplying me with necessary tools and being able to send me to camps and lessons and classes, I would not know where to go in my career. The foundation and support my family has given me far outweigh any want I would have to come from a musical background.”
Frank will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall of 2020 as an instrumental music education major.
Parker Williams began playing the tuba in 6th grade, and while in high school was selected to perform in all-state ensembles four times, twice as first chair tuba in the All State Band and twice as the sole tuba player in the All State Orchestra. Parker plans to attend either The University of Florida, Florida State University or Vanderbilt University, and major in brass music performance.
The R. Bruce MacGregor Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the first director of the Charlotte Chorale, Bruce MacGregor. His legacy lives on as the Chorale annually provides financial assistance to talented young men and woman of Charlotte County High Schools who plan to major in music at the post-secondary level.
The Charlotte Chorale congratulates both Frank and Parker and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.
