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In 2004, the choirs at UNM launched a fundraising campaign to create 16 endowed scholarships. When our goal is reached, the holders of these 16 scholarships will form the "UNM Chamber Singers" - an elite ensemble. Our first scholarship was endowed in 2005 and named for famed Los Angeles composer Morten Lauridsen whose visit and benefit concert in 2004 helped begin these efforts.
In 2005, we began the John Clark Choral Scholarship to honor UNM's long-time Director of Choral Activities upon his retirement. And, in 2006, we launched the Robert Ray Choral Scholarship, honoring the visit of distinguished African American composer and conductor Robert Ray. Both of these new scholarships are steps toward our larger goal of 16 endowed scholarships, with the added caveat that preference is given to an African American student majoring in choral conducting or vocal performance in the award of the Ray Scholarship.
In 2011, the Lynn E. Drob Memorial Scholarship was initiated to recognize a long-time UNM University Chorus singer, who was also the President of the UNM University Chorus Advisory Council for several years. Ms. Drob worked tirelessly behind the scenes to further the mission of the UNM University Chorus: To provide high quality music through low cost performances, community outreach, and scholarships. Through her work and dedication, Ms. Drob's love for choral music has touched countless persons in her beloved New Mexico.
As we work toward 16 scholarships their naming will tend to come from one of three sources. First, they may honor individual musicians whose contributions to choral singing at UNM is demonstrable. The first three scholarships all fall into this category. Second, a scholarship may be fully endowed by an individual who wishes to help the UNM choral program. In this case, the scholarship would be named for the donor or, if they preferred, it could be named to recognize someone of their choice, for example, a loved one who enjoyed choral music. Thirdly, corporations and businesses might wish to endow a scholarship and reap the positive public relations of having their name recognized in perpetuity.
| Scholarship | Status |
|---|---|
| 1. The Morten Lauridsen Choral Scholarship | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 2. The John Clark Choral Scholarship | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 3. The Robert Ray Choral Endowed Fund | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 4. The Weston Noble Choral Endowed Scholarship | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 5. The Irma Norelius Buffett Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Choral Programs | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 6. The Veola Ellingboe Endowed Choral Scholarship | 33% complete |
| 7. The Joe S. & Claudia T. Keith Choral Endowed Scholarship | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 8. The Lynn Drob Memorial Endowed Choral Scholarship | 57% complete |
| 9. The René Clausen Choral Scholarship | 10% complete |
| 10. The 2011 UNM University Chorus Advisory Council Endowed Choral Scholarship | |
| 11. The Director of Choral Activities Scholarship | 100% complete, endowed in perpetuity |
| 12. The Iris Ciesielski Endowed Choral Scholarship | |
| 13. The Gary and Elizabeth Dwyer Endowed Choral Scholarship | |
| 14. The Centennial Endowed Choral Scholarship | 38% complete |
| 15. The Eph Ehly Endowed Choral Scholarship | 30% complete |
| 16. The University Chorus Endowed Choral Scholarship | 10% complete |
If you wish to donate to any scholarship fund that is not yet endowed, please e-mail Belinda Jentzen belinda.jentzen@unmfund.org , College of Fine Arts Liaison to the University of New Mexico Foundation, or Bradley Ellingboe brell@unm.edu , Director of Choral Activities, for further information.
If you wish to establish a new choral scholarship to honor a loved one or favorite musician, to create positive publicity for your business, or for some other reason, please e-mail Belinda Jentzen belinda.jentzen@unmfund.org , College of Fine Arts Liaison to the University of New Mexico Foundation.
Background adapted from an image by
Alan Paine Radebaugh
This page updated Tuesday, February 28, 2012