The Monmouth Symphony Orchestra honors the memory of Michael H. Goldwasser in appreciation of the more than forty years of devoted service to our musical community. He was the founder and President of the Orchestra, a member of the violin section, an ardent teacher and an avid talent scout. This $500 Scholarship will assist a deserving high school graduate to continue music study at an accredited institution.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an applicant must be a Monmouth County resident qualifying for June graduation from any public or private high school in Monmouth County. The applicant intends to continue the study of music in one or more of the following areas:
- Music Education
- Music Performance
- Music Technology
- Music Therapy
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music Business/Management
- Music History
2024 Winner - Lydia Smith
Lydia Smith, a senior at Henry Hudson Regional High School, will be attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. There she will be majoring in Vocal Performance and Theatre.
Her musical activities in high school are varied and many: Concert, Marching, Pep and Jazz Bands, A Capella Choir, AP Music Theory, and President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of school, she participated in Church Choir, Brookdale Concordia Chorale, and Church Praise Band.
In school, her other activities are also varied and many: Peer Mentor, Key Club, Student Council Vice President, National Honor Society, Atlantic Highlands Leo's Club (part of the Lions Club), and GSA Club.
Church and Theatre are an important part of Lydia's life, as evidenced by her participation in these groups: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Red Bank UMC Youth Group, and Church Council. On the theatre side, she did HHRHS Stage Management, Poetry Out Loud, Teen Arts Creative Writing & Musical Theatre, Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, Two River Theatre: A Little Shakespeare, and she is a Two River Theatre Metro Scholar.
In her written essay, Lydia states, "The Henry Hudson Regional School Music Department and instructors have allowed me to expand my horizons, try new challenges through my vocal and instrumental music abilities, and become a better version of myself.......Music makes me feel very proud of who I am, and I can not imagine myself doing anything else."
Congratulations, Lydia, on a well deserved award.