So, there we were – the culmination of the season’s activities, the Scholarship Awards Luncheon of 2018. The Sarasota Music Club has been doing this since its founding in 1930, and the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota since its founding in 1996. This is the third year of the two organizations’ partnership, and they -we- combined organizational and financial resources to award $20,000 in scholarships to eight very talented young area musicians. They, their parents, teachers, accompanists, and many members of the two sponsoring organizations were gathered to celebrate. As a bonus to us, the four 12th grade winners performed at the luncheon.

The third annual Suncoast Music Scholarships program will offer up to $20,000 in music scholarships through a competition open to Sarasota and Manatee county high school students. The scholarship program is funded through a Sarasota Music Club and Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota partnership.

Sarasota Music Club’s recently elected board of directors will serve until 2019. The board will oversee two years of professional musician performance programs, as well as the organization’s participation in Suncoast Music Scholarships, a partnership with Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota.  Mary Webb will continue her tenure as board President. Additional officers serving on the board are: Jan Balazs, 1st Vice President; Barbara Chertok, 2nd Vice President; Janet Jackson, Secretary and Treasurer; Charlyn Craver, Communications Secretary; and John Fischer, Assistant Treasurer. At Large board members include: Louise Baar, June Buck, Barbara Roth Donaldson, Wes Snyder and Dorothy Whaley.       

Suncoast Music Scholarships, a new Sarasota Music Club and Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota partnership, awarded $22,000 to nine talented young musicians from Sarasota and Manatee counties. The scholarship funds are to be used to pay for music education expenses.

In recognition of its 85th anniversary, Sarasota Music Club has selected 10 Sarasota and Manatee county organizations to receive $8,500 in donations. These nonprofit organizations share the club’s mission of promoting music education and/or performance.

The Sarasota Music Club's upcoming 85th Anniversary inspired a campaign to donate $8,500 to organizations that share its mission of promoting music education and performance. Any Sarasota or Manatee county organization dedicated to music performance and/or education can apply. 

The Seminole District of the Florida Federation of Music Club met on Saturday, November 17, in Sarasota.