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Marian Anderson Music Guild, Inc. Scholarship Competition
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Click on the link below to download the Scholarship Application.
Mail the completed form to:
Marian Anderson Music Guild, Inc.
PO Box 18
Lawnside, NJ 08045
Attention: Mrs. Edra Chandler
For more information you may contact us at:
(856) 365-9136
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Vision
The Marian Anderson Music Guild Scholarship program began in 1996 when Edra Jones Chandler, a new member, presented a proposal to establish a vehicle through which young people throughout South Jersey could receive funds that would help them continue their music education.
In 1997 she organized a singing group, The Three Sopranos, who presented musical programs to the South Jersey community. The profits from the programs of The Three Sopranos, Edra Jones Chandler, Rachel Merrill and Eva Stroud, provided a significant source of revenue for Marian Anderson Music Guild. That same year the Guild, under the leadership of newly-elected president Rachel Merrill, voted to establish a scholarship competition.
The Three Sopranos, accompanied by pianist, Judy Barkley, presented their inaugural concert at Grace Temple Baptist Church, Lawnside, New Jersey. Mr. Ukee Washington, news anchor at KYW News 3, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Proceeds from this concert were used to seed the scholarship fund.
The Three Sopranos continued to perform throughout 1997 and 1998. Guild member, Dr. Zoila Airall, an accomplished musician, agreed to serve as the accompanist when Judy Barkley left to get married. The group’s performance venues included churches, universities and sites of programs sponsored by various community-based organizations. The successful events gave a creative and financial jump-start to the Guild’s competition as evidenced by the establishment of a scholarship committee and fund.
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Framework
The Guild’s scholarship competition was designed to mirror the format (classical and Negro Spiritual selections) of the national scholarship competition for the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., (NANM). MAMG held its first competition in March 1998 at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. There were less than twelve student competitors. Linda Wright-Moore, columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Subsequent competitions were held at Rosedale Baptist Church where the Reverend Timothy Merrill was the pastor. MAMG member, Julie-Ann Whitely, served as the scholarship chairperson through 1999. Edra Jones Chandler accepted the role of scholarship chairperson in 2000. Guild member, Teresa Epps, established the publicity program for the scholarship committee.
Students competed at two levels – middle school and high school. Each contestant was required to perform a classical selection, a Negro spiritual and a composition by a published African-American composer. The first place winners received monetary awards; second and third place winners received savings bonds. The award money was and continues to be presented to the music teachers so that students may carry on with their music lessons.
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Funding – Challenges & Solutions
The members of The Three Sopranos had extremely busy schedules. Ultimately they each made a decision to refocus their time and attention to the more pressing needs of their families and careers. The discontinuance of this group’s concerts resulted in a significant decrease in the revenues which supported the scholarship competition.
Recognizing this dilemma, MAMG member, Constance Hampton, organized the Guild’s first Stay At Home Tea. This was held in the spring of 2001. The success of this project provided the total source of funding for the 2001 scholarship competition. This project provided a great opportunity for Guild members to reach out to and network with new “friends” of the Guild’s scholarship program. It continues to be a source of funding for scholarships.
In 2004, then president, Jaye Green, recommended that the committee establish a minimum funding threshold to ensure that MAMG’s Scholarship Competition would continue for the next year. The Guild adopted this policy in January 2004. Other fund raising projects, hosted by Guild members, provided valuable assistance to the scholarship committee in its efforts to continue the scholarship program. These included a “Sunday Dessert Buffet” and 2004 fall fundraiser held at the Virtuous Woman Bakery in Magnolia, New Jersey; and a 2005 collaborative effort with the Haddonfield School of Performing Arts. This event, “An Afternoon Tea”, was held at Cater 2 U, Mount Laurel, New Jersey. And finally, there were the Splendid Evening Concerts, programs originally produced and directed by Guild members Donald W. T. Cary and Edra Jones Chandler.
Over the next few years, the Guild experienced an expanded, successful programming schedule. As such, more funds became available and continue to be available for the Guild’s scholarship program.
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Competition Growth & Expansion
The competition moved to a new level under the guidance of our accomplished member, musician, teacher and scholar, Mr. Donald W. T. Cary. “Dr. Cary”, as he is referred to by all who have benefitted from his expertise, joined the scholarship committee in 2004 and offered recommendations that would improve the organization and operation of the competition. These included a registration fee requirement and separate adjudication sessions for vocal and instrumental competitors.
The scholarship competition is held annually in late April. It is open to elementary school, middle school, high school and college students who reside in South Jersey. Many of the competitors have attended college and continued their studies in music.
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