Keep the music playing

Lee Dougherty Ross is the director of scholarships for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. To put it another way, she’s on a mission—a two-part mission. Ross wants to educate the music audiences of the future. And make sure future musicians can earn a living. Smart audiences and musical professionals: As Ross sees it, you can’t have one without the other. And she’s not alone in her opinion.

Ross’ fellow music mavens at the Artist Series and Sarasota Music Club share this point of view. Dorothy Whaley, for example—a driving force at the Sarasota Music Club. Or John Fischer, the Artist Series’ executive director. The future of music in the area is a constant theme in their conversations. Doing something about it is, too. That’s why they recently launched the Suncoast Music Scholarships. This ambitious program will award up to $20,000 to talented student musicians in high schools throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Only eight will be awarded. On what basis?

“The ability to make beautiful music,” Ross says. “As based on a live audition. And we won’t be pre-screening CDs and weeding out applicants before the competition. This isn’t a two-tier process. Our message to student musicians is simple: Show up! We want you here. If you really believe in your music-making, come share your talents with us.”

A stellar list of music professionals will judge the young talent. Like Ross, they all believe that the future of their profession is on the line. Sound intimidating?

If so, we’re giving you the wrong impression.

“The judges are on the students’ side,” she says. “This won’t be like those horrific competitions on cable TV. It’s a supportive atmosphere; it’s fun; it’s a chance for young talents to show who they are. If you win, fine. If you don’t, you’ve made your music, and that’s what counts.”

“It’s all about education ... That’s why this scholarship program exists. We want to make sure our best and brightest area talents go on to fulfilling careers.”– Lee Dougherty Ross, director of scholarships, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

Ross adds that this freewheeling student competition won’t be restricted to any genre or musical instrument. Budding jazz, rock, bluegrass and classical performers are all welcome—and they can play on a banjo, didgeridoo, or MIDI synthesizer if they feel like it. Or just sing. A democratic approach, and a logical one. As Duke Ellington put it, “There are two kinds of music: Good music and the other kind.”

Democracy does have its winners. Supportive or not, this audition will, too. Graduating seniors will vie for four scholarship awards in a sliding scale from $2,000 to $5,000. Four additional awards are open to 11th and 10th grade students at $1,000 and $2,000, respectively.

Ross stresses that money isn’t the point. Where the students spend it is. 

“It’s all about education,” she says. “College of course, but also the expensive business of musical education in general—and what students ultimately do with their training professionally. That’s why this scholarship program exists. We want to make sure our best and brightest area talents go on to fulfilling careers.”

The Suncoast Music Scholarships are a means to that end. The auditions are, too. These take place April 2, at Holley Hall. Every student musician will get a chance to be heard, and not only by the judges. This isn’t a closed-door affair; it’s free and open to the public. All music lovers are invited to listen — students especially. And those who miss the audition will get a second chance to hear. The 12th grade winners will perform at an awards luncheon April 23 at Michaels On East.

The future is at stake for eight talented young musicians here. The future of the musical audience is, too.

To Ross, this audition is a teachable moment. She’s confident that the young people attending will realize how much musicians give to them—and how much they give back just by listening. 

“Our audition will bring young musicians and their friends closer together,” she says. “And maybe we’ll be starting something. My dream is that the emerging talents will go on to their careers — and all the kids in the audience will be listening to and supporting great music for the rest of their lives.”

Bottom line? Musical artists on stage need educated audiences in the seats. That’s the only way to keep the music playing.

According to Ross, this philosophy is the heart of the Artist’s Series’ educational outreach programs. 

“Our artists go throughout the schools — and the kids get so inspired,” she says. “The connection between career musicians and the young ones is remarkable.” 

Ross sees a similar connection between the music lovers of the Artist Series and Sarasota Music Club, and she credits that bond for making the Suncoast Music Scholarships a reality.

“We’ve found a common cause,” she says. “We’ve joined forced to create those scholarships — and that kind of solidarity is only natural. Our organizations have both supported area music performance and education since the day we each were founded. We both deeply care about young people — and realize we can do more together than we ever could separately. If music lovers can’t harmonize, what’s the point?”

Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 29. To find out more about the Suncoast Music Scholarship Program, go to www.sarasotamusicclub.org and www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call Lee Dougherty Ross at 388-1188.