Outreach Programs

Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship

The Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship is named for one of our beloved founding members who sang with the chorus from 1934 to 2009.  Each year $1,000 is awarded to a High School senior who is planning to major in music in college.

Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship application must be completed each year by the April deadline as outlined in the Requirements for consideration.  The NCS Scholarship Committee reviews all applications , and the  Betty Gillette Scholarship is awarded at the end of the concert season at the NCS Annual Meeting.

Completed application should be submitted to:

The Newburyport Choral Society
c/o Deborah Morrison
247 Middle Road, Byfield, Massachusetts  01922

Contact Deborah Morrison, (978) 465-3271, or dgm1218@yahoo.com, or NCS for more information.

NCS 2011 Scholarship Awarded…
Newburyport Choral Society is pleased to announce the winner of the 23rd Betty Gillette Scholarship that is given annually to a local student pursing an education in music. The 2011 recipient is Lisa Stoneham, a bass trombone player and graduate of Beverly High School. Lisa is attending SUNY Fredonia with plans to major in Bass Trombone and Biology. Her goal is to play the bass trombone in a symphony orchestra with occasional “pit orchestra” work.

In addition to playing the trombone, Lisa also plays the tuba, the upright bass, hand bells and she sang in the school Vocal Ensemble. She served as low brass section lead, band president, and participated in a variety of school musical groups, including the Pit and Jazz Bands. She has played with the Symphony By The Sea Youth Orchestra and the Northshore Youth Symphony Orchestra and studies trombone with Boston Symphony’s Norman Bolter. For the past five years Lisa has been selected to play in the Northeast District Band.

During her junior and senior years in high school, Lisa volunteered each week to work with the low brass players in the Briscoe Middle School in Beverly. The Middle School Band Director expressed particular appreciation of Lisa’s serving as a role model for his female low brass players, whom he suspects might not have persevered with their instruments were it not for Lisa’s encouragement.

As a member of the National Honor Society, Lisa ranked 8th in her Beverly High School Class. In addition to numerous musical awards, she has also gained recognition academically in French and Latin.

The members of the Newburyport Choral Society would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Lisa and wish her success in the pursuit of her music education and professional goals. For more information about the NCS Betty Gillette Scholarship click here.

Community Service Internships

The Newburyport Choral Society (NCS) offers high school students an opportunity to sing with NCS as part of their community service requirements. This internship represents NCS’ commitment to supporting the performing arts and engaging youth in both music education and the performance of choral music that enriches the cultural life of Greater Newburyport and surrounding communities.

Membership and music fees are waived for students participating in this community service activity. Students may join in the Fall and/or Spring Concert seasons. They are expected to attend weekly evening rehearsals beginning the first Monday of September and January, perform in two concerts, and sell 2 tickets to the concert performance. We look forward to having young musicians join us and share in this wonderful enriching experience.

Educator PDP

The Newburyport Choral Society is registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Professional Development Point provider. Members of the Choral Society who seek PDPs must maintain a log of their rehearsal hours, performance participation and workshop attendance. NCS will provide the necessary certificate of completion.

Contact NCS for more information.