Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship and award recipients! We’re thrilled to offer $8,500 to such worthy winners toward their pursuit of music. Meet the 2023 winners.
- CMA Excellence in Teaching Award: Brandon Waring, Iowa Falls-Alden CSD 6-12 Choir Director
“Winning this award gives me excitement and passion going into summer knowing I have the opportunity to improve as a musician and educator! I will be using the funds to attend the CCM Vocal Institute at Shenandoah University in July. I am ecstatic to gain new knowledge and skills of how to sequentially equip my students through functional voice training. Through a combination of lectures and live sessions, I will learn to balance vocal function, vocal health, authenticity, and artistry. Thank you to the Civic Music Association for giving me the opportunity to improve in one of the weakest areas of my teaching abilities!” -
CMA Young Artist Scholarship Recipients
1st Place High School: Campbell Helton, Roosevelt High School
“I am greatly honored to accept this award and would like to thank Civic Music for their support of young musicians. These funds will be used to help me pursue a career and education I never thought possible. Through Civic Music, I will be able to live my dream of being a musician and work to make the world a better place.”2nd Place High School: Marisa Cravero, West Des Moines Valley High School
“I am extremely grateful for the support that this scholarship will provide as I continue my learning. As I head to the University of North Texas to pursue a major in jazz studies and performance, finances are sure to become a burden but with the aid of the Civic Music Association, this burden feels a lot lighter. I am especially appreciative that there are programs such as CMA to bring opportunities to artists in a world where it is difficult to get started and feel prepared. Thank you so much!”1st Place College: Megan Bennett, Sophomore Music Education Major, University of Northern Iowa
“I am honored to be the recipient of the 2023 Marian Sharp Revocable Trust award! As a young musician, I strive to better myself as a musician and person while taking on as many opportunities as I can. With the assistance from this award, I will be able to set my sights higher by participating in concerto competitions and music festivals across the country! Along with this I will be able to experience new things and meet wonderful musicians and educators. This honor will get me one step closer to my dreams of becoming a trumpet performer and educator!”2nd Place College: Courtney Johnson, Music Education Major, Drake University
“During my first semester at Drake, one of the first recitals I attended was a CMA concert. I immediately was able to recognize the prestige that they carry and the wonderful community that they have built. It is such an honor to have been chosen for the Young Artist Scholarship. It will be very helpful in funding my tuition here at Drake University. ” - Marjorie Spevak Music Scholarship
High School: Georgia Labounty, Waukee High School
“I am incredibly thankful to have been selected for this award. It allows me to feel more safe and secure in my finances as I continue to work towards pursuing my education and career in vocal performance. I will be putting this scholarship towards my education at Wartburg College this fall. ”
Middle School: Lilah Sidon, Merrill Middle School
“I am very excited to win the 2023 Marjorie Spevak Middle School Scholarship Award because it will help send me to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer. At Blue Lake, I’m looking forward to being in both clarinet and piano activities. I’ve been wanting to go to a camp like this for a long time, and I’m so excited that I finally will be able to! Thank you CMA for giving me this opportunity.”
