One of the Vernon Jazz Society’s primary mandates is to facilitate the involvement of youth in Jazz both as musicians and audience members. VJS is pleased to have been able to award several annual scholarships over the past years to deserving band students in the Okanagan. Our only stipulation is that the recipients use the money to further their musical pursuits – e.g. tuition, instrument purchase, sheet music. “Part of our mandate is to encourage the jazz musicians of the future,” notes Vernon Jazz Society Past President Brian McMahon We presently raise the funds by selling 50/50 tickets at all our gigs, and we wish to thank our patrons for their ongoing and generous support. Applications are now open for 2019. Recipients will be chosen by the VJS Board after the directors listen to audio tracks submitted by applicants. Additionally, check out the Fraser McPherson Jazz Scholarship!

2019 VJS Scholarship Application Form

2018 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• RJ Liebelt – $1000 (vocals / saxophones)
• 
• Jordan Manderioli – $57500 (Piano)
• 
• Griffin Hodge – $575.00 (Sax)
• 

2017 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• Craig Matterson – $800.00 (keyboards – missing from photo)
• Jacob Soucy – $700.00 (trumpet)
• Carson Bassett – $400.00 (drums)

2016 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• Alex Buck – $750
• Jacob Soucy – $750

2015 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• Zak Griffin – $500.00
• Will Friesen – $400.00
• Cole Smith – $600.00

2014 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• • Harrison Argatoff – $500.00

• • Alex Buck – $500.00

• Keiran Rambo – $500.00

2013 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• Morgan Hillis – $1000.00
• An additional $1000 was distributed to several musicians who attended the “Sizzling Sounds of Jazz” summer camp to help offset tuition costs.

2012 VJS Scholarship Recipients

• Spencer Stevenson – $900.00 (Left)
• Sean McMahon – $700.00 (right)
• Not pictured: Anthony Argatoff – $200.00
• Corey St. Pierre – $200.00

The Vernon Jazz Society is pleased to announce the presentation of jazz scholarships totalling $2400 to aspiring Okanagan high school jazz musicians. “Every year we try to help young musicians as they pursue their goals,” noted Vernon Jazz Society president Brian McMahon. This year’s winners will use their awards to offset the costs of musical studies or equipment. They are:

• Matt Harwood-Jones – $600 (drums, Grade 12 at W.L Seaton Secondary, entering jazz studies at Selkirk College in Nelson)
• Chris Petterson – $600 (alto sax, Grade 12 at Salmon Arm Secondary, entering jazz studies at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo)
• Sean Lavigne – $600 (pictured above) (trombone, Grade 12 at Kalamalka Secondary, entering jazz studies at Capilano University in North Vancouver)
• Blago Hristovski – $400 (bari sax, Grade 10 at Kelowna Secondary, enrolled in summer jazz camp in Kelowna and bought a mouthpiece.
• Ilyja Hristovski – $200 (trumpet, Grade 9 at Dr. Knox Middle School, enrolled in summer jazz camp in Kelowna)

“The Vernon Jazz Society gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our patrons who contributed to the scholarship fund, as well as major donations from the Vernon Teachers’ Association, the Vernon Community Singers, and Kalamalka Rotary!”

The Vernon Jazz Society is pleased to announce the presentation of jazz scholarships totalling $2000 to aspiring Okanagan high school jazz musicians. “Part of our mandate is to encourage the jazz musicians of the future,” noted Vernon Jazz Society president Brian McMahon. This year’s winners will use their awards to offset the costs of musical studies or equipment. They are:

• Tim Hirtz – $800 (piano, Grade 12 at Mt. Boucherie Secondary, accepted into jazz studies at McGill University in Montreal)
• Carl Ross – $600 (alto sax, Grade 11 at Kalamalka Secondary)
• Stefan Raupach – $300 (guitar, Grade 12 at Kalamalka Secondary)
• Daniel Favell – $300 (guitar, Grade 12 at Kalamalka Secondary)

“We hope to have the scholarship winners perform at the club in the fall, and we will advertise the dates once arrangements are made,” said McMahon. “We also gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our patrons who contributed to the scholarship fund, as well as major donations from the Vernon Community Singers and Kalamalka Rotary!” PHOTO: Left to Right – Stefan Raupach, Carl Ross, Daniel Favell and VJS president Brian McMahon. Missing: Tim Hirtz