The class of 2025 was celebrated this morning in Bezanson Recital Hall during the annual UMass Amherst Department of Music & Dance Convocation ceremonies. The event also served to announce the student recipients of 15 music scholarship and department awards.
Hosted by department chair Matthew Westgate, the ceremony opened with performances by two of last year’s award winners. Andrew DiCiccio (2024 Cunningham Outstanding Sophomore) played I’ll Remember April on saxophone, while Alex Harvey-Arnold (2024 Lebow Award) led a group on jazz bass in a performance of Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely. Aidan Higgins (piano/sax), and Ellen Jacobson (drums) featured on both pieces, while Aeneas Strozier (bass) accompanied DiCiccio and Henry Bolduc (piano) and Olivia Reduto (vocals) also performed on the Stevie Wonder tune.
Following the musical performances, Dr. Westgate offered gratitude for the 37 years of service by retiring oboe professor Fredric Cohen. Cohen joined the UMass Department of Music and Dance in 1987. During his tenure of nearly four decades, Cohen has served the UMass Amherst music program as a performer, teacher, and administrator.
Cohen helped to revive the UMass Orchestra in the 1990s, serving as coordinator and later as interim conductor. He also founded the UMass Double Reed Ensemble and the Graduate Wind Quintet, and has helped to launch the careers of many successful performers and educators, including Colonel Jason Fettig, former Director of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band.
The announcement of the award winners followed, and the full class of graduate and undergraduate degree candidates and Honors students were all recognized before the end of the ceremony. After final remarks, a special musical performance was presented, featuring members of the faculty and staff playing “Pomp and Circumstance” on instruments they were either not familiar with, had not played for several years, or were not part of their UMass job.
2025 Music Scholarship winners:
Russell E. and Janet R. Falvey Scholarship: Brielle Murray
Awarded to a freshman from a western Massachusetts high school who is pursuing a degree in music education and has demonstrated academic excellence and the potential to impact the musical education of young people.
Ornest Undergraduate Award: Shreya Sarcar
Awarded to voice students with established academic credentials. The student must maintain 3.5 GPA over 2 years.
Philip Bezanson Voice Award: Zachary Brennan, Lily Hammond, Michelle Prindle, Patrick Spoor
A scholarship to support a student majoring in Music (undergraduate or graduate student) whose primary applied area is voice or composition.
Eugenie M. May Piano Award: Chia Yi (Kathy) Liu
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in piano performance.
Geraldine Shank Collaborative Piano Award: Bora Kosar
Given in honor of Geraldine Shank to a pianist who has excelled in the special art of collaborative playing. (Student does not need to be a major)
Julian Olevsky Memorial Award: Altana Schweitzer
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in violin performance.
Lynn Klock Award in Saxophone: Qeanu Smith
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in saxophone performance.
Walter M. Chesnut Award in Trumpet: Emma Robeau
To provide a scholarship for a music major whose primary applied area is trumpet and has demonstrated the highest standard of musical excellence.
Jane A. Bernstein Prize for Exceptional Musicological Research: Zachary Brennan, Patrick Spoor
Awarded to the best research project on a musicological topic concerning pre-modern musical traditions or their receptions up to the present day. (Can be either grad or undergrad)
Susan Cunningham Campbell Outstanding Freshman Award: Ori Sussman
Awarded to a freshman music major who has achieved distinction in the Department of Music and Dance.
Susan Cunningham Campbell Outstanding Sophomore Award: Brayden Hackett
Awarded to a sophomore music major who has achieved distinction in the Department of Music and Dance.
David W. Briggs Scholarship in Memory of Jean S. Briggs: Shreya Sarcar
For a full time sophomore (or greater) with a 3.5 GPA, in need of Financial Aid, majoring in one of the music programs.
Friends of Music Senior Award: Alex Harvey-Arnold
Given to music majors who are graduating seniors and have distinguished themselves in the Department of Music and Dance.
Howard Lebow Memorial Scholarship: Nicholas LaCava
Awarded to returning students who have distinguished themselves as performing musicians.
Theodore Presser Scholar Award: Alex Harvey-Arnold
Presented to an undergraduate music major at the end of their final year of study with high levels of grades, performance, leadership, service, and inclusivity.
Our music and dance students receive scholarships through the generosity of our donors. Please consider a gift to the fund of your choice by visiting this Giving link.