School of Music Celebrates Student Achievement at Annual McCracken Awards Ceremony as part of the Friends of Music Celebration Weekend

• Ford M. Montgomery Memorial Piano Scholarship - Gavin Probus
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement in piano performance, this award is in memory of Ford Montgomery, beloved piano professor at UK for many decades.  

• Jean Marie McConnell Chrisman Memorial Piano Scholarship - Ava Vance
  • A piano scholarship endowed by Jean Marie's husband, Norman Chrisman, in her memory. This award is given in recognition of outstanding performance, talent, and professional promise in piano.  

• Nathaniel Patch Piano Scholarship - Jordan Amburgey
  • In memory of Nathaniel Patch, a renowned pianist and member of the UK faculty from 1949 to his death in the 1990s. This award is given in recognition of exceptional achievement in piano performance. 

• Charlie H. Mitchell Award - Cade Dundon
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement in organ performance.  

Vicki Stephens-McVay Piano Achievement Awards 

• The McVay Piano Success Award – Chloe Scarola 
  • Given in recognition of demonstrated determination and persistence in achieving piano proficiency, with proficiency achieved in four semesters of study. 

• The McVay Piano Excellence Award – Adrianna Dick 
  • Given in recognition of demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in achieving piano proficiency, with proficiency achieved in less than four semesters of study. 

• Dudley E. South Award - Kate Wells 
  • Given to an outstanding first-year, UK School of Music string major in recognition of exceptional achievement in string performance. 
• Francis Arnold South Award - Nichelle Noble 
  • Given to an outstanding first-year UK School of Music voice major in recognition of exceptional achievement in vocal performance.  
• Phyllis Jenness Vocal Scholarship - Dylon Crain, Fairynne Rogers, and Kaylee Piatt 
  • Given in recognition of an exceptional voice major dedicated to music and singing, and in honor of one of UK's most beloved voice teachers and opera directors.  
• Ralph and Pam Miller Award - Dejah Watts 
  • Given by OperaLex in recognition of an outstanding undergraduate voice major and in memory of Mr. Ralph Miller. 
• Brett and Jackie Scott Award - Emily Hayes & Parker Schimpff 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional service to the University of Kentucky Choral Program. 
• Wayland Rogers Scholarships for Excellence in Performance of Art Song - Calia Burdette & Will Cordier 
  • Given in recognition of one or more seniors demonstrating excellence in art song performance. 

• W. Adrian Jones Award - Kate Stewart 
  • Given by the UK Percussion Society for leadership and service. This award is named for UK percussion graduate, Adrian Jones. 

• Kevin Toole Award - Coleman Shofner 
  • Mr. Toole founded the Drum Center of Lexington. This award is given to a first-year percussion student in recognition of exceptional achievement in percussion performance. 

• Elaine Gould Memorial Percussion Award - Leo D’Ambrosio 
  • Annually given to an outstanding first-year percussion student. The award is given in memory of the mother of UK alumnus, Michael Gould. 

• James Campbell Percussion Award - Adam Inouye 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement in percussion performance and service to the University of Kentucky Percussion Program. 

• Lynn Markowitz Struttman Oboe Scholarship - Dominic Luthje 
  • Endowed by friends of Ms. Struttman in her memory, this award is given in recognition of outstanding performance, talent, and professional promise in oboe. 

• Adele Headley Award - Chris Kim 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement and potential for musicological research. 

• Kristen Stauffer Todd Memorial Award - Samantha Vivian 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional graduate teaching and service in musicology and ethnomusicology. 

Dr. Robert C. and Mrs. Rita C. Lam Scholarships 

• KSV Division - Chloe Morris  
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the voice, strings, and keyboard division by a first-year student. 

• WPJ Division - Sullivan Tucker 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the winds, percussion, and jazz division by a first-year student. 

• Music Education and Therapy - Adeline Elliot 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the music education and therapy division by a first-year student. 

• Music Theory - Sally Tidwell 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the music theory and composition division by a first-year student 

Ralph McCracken Scholarships 

• KSV Division - Loren Little 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the voice, strings, and keyboard division. 

• WPJ Division - Gabe Holman 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the winds, percussion, and jazz division. 

• Musicology - Elijah Geary, Claire Baumann, Monica Geiman 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of musicology. 

• Music Education - Madeline Murray & Embree Way 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music education. 

• Music Therapy - Alyssa Jones 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music therapy. 

• Music Theory - Dorottya Gal 
  • Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music theory. 

• John Barnes Chance Award - Darik Johnson 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement in music composition. 

• Rob Schultz Memorial Award - Angel Gomez Ramos 
  • Given in recognition of exceptional achievement in music theory and in memory of former faculty member, Dr. Rob Schultz. 

• George Hurst Memorial Scholarship - Joshua Koch 
  • Mr. George Hurst was the owner and founder of the George Hurst Music Company, which is still in operation today. This award is given in recognition of exceptional achievement in instrumental Music Education. 

• Mildred S. Lewis Scholarship - Elysia Jackson 
  • Endowed by her many friends and former students upon her death in the 1970s, Ms. Lewis was the director of the UK Choral Program and a nationally known music educator. This is given in recognition of outstanding scholarship, musical achievement, and professional promise in choral music education. 

• Anthony L. Konkler Memorial Scholarship - Jaila Yeast 
  • Given to a choral/vocal music education major moving from their sophomore to junior year. 

• Dr. Cecilia Wang Music Education Scholarship - Heidi Guenther, Crystal Comer & Kasey Crockett 
  • Given to support one or more annual scholarships or research stipends for students pursuing graduate degrees in music education in the School of Music. 

• Sogin String Education Scholarship - Jordan Boggess 
  • Given to support a student pursuing a graduate degree in music education, with a focus in string education, pedagogy, or music education community outreach programs. 

• Outstanding Service Award - Caendra Baugus and Danica Kiefer 

• Outstanding Musicianship Award - Aubrey Kuper and Junichrio Reynolds 

• Outstanding Service Award - Kristen Uherka, Kate Stewart, and Josh O’Banion 

• Outstanding Musicianship Award - Leah Jenkins, John Koenig, and Jack Mobley 

• Outstanding Service Award - Kali Lewis and Zack Watkins 

• Outstanding Musicianship Award - JoJo Dennis, Nick Walden, Christopher Mosher, Neil Roshto, and Elizabeth Flack 

• Director’s Awards for Outstanding Service and Musicianship - Elizabeth King and Jeremiah Ingram 

• George Boulden III Perseverance Scholarship - Seth Dossa, James Garvin, Carmen Klapheke, Nick Walden, and Ava Wamsley 
  • Established in honor of George Boulden III, Associate Director of Bands at UK from 1995–2022 and Director of the Wildcat Marching Band from 1995–2008, this scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate resilience and long‑term commitment to the band program. 
• Gordon and Kelly Henderson Endowed Scholarship - Loren Little and Colin Selch 
  • This scholarship supports undergraduate music majors who demonstrate musical ability and active participation in University Bands. 

• Frances Tinsley Smith and E. Vernon Smith Band Scholarship - Elliott Bratten, Keyona Collins, James Garvin, Titus Gustafson, Ashton Hunter, Wesley Klein, Madison Myers, Juan Ramirez, Melanie Ridley, Silas Session, Lysander Snow, Kyla Stevens, Drason Swihart, James Wang, and Lacey Webber 
  • Awarded to saxophone section members who have participated at least two years in the Wildcat Marching Band and exemplify dedication to the band’s goals. 
• Michael Turpin Band Leadership Fund - Zain McCoy and Abigail Royal 
  • Established in memory of Michael Turpin, this fund honors students who exemplify leadership and service within the band and Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity. 

• Tommy L. Sandusky Memorial Band Fund - Kyle Lewis, Adaline Hampton, and Juanes Ramirez 
  • This award recognizes non‑music majors who demonstrate commitment, dedication, and joy in participation with the Wildcat Marching Band. 
• Sweetheart Majorettes/Features Endowed Scholarship - Allison Budd, Grace Burton, Addison Cremeans, Charlize Donaldson, Jillian Freeman, Lilliana Garcia, Lexie Hill, Tara Howard, Isabella LeCursi, Allisyn Merlak, Emilie Molina, and Molly Rogers 
  • Awarded annually to students actively participating as Sweetheart Majorettes or Feature Twirlers. 
• Returning Member Award - Sanduni Abeyratna, Caendra Baugus, Gavin Baumer, Allison Budd, Devon Carlton, Olivia Fowler, Jillian Freeman, Adaline Hampton, Skylar Herald, Isaiah Holman, Tara Howard, Joshua Koch, Kyle Lewis, Evan Little, Emilie Molina, Avery Peltcs, Jessica Przybysz, Dillon Robinson, Allison Robson, Abigail Royal, Emily Rudic, Josephine Smith, Ronald Tribolet, John Vines, Jordan Whitt, and Holly Wolke 
  • Recognizes returning members of the Wildcat Marching Band who demonstrate sustained dedication and service. 

• Donald D. and Patricia M. Waggener UK Marching Band Fund - Joshua Koch 

• Henry D. Ormsby Band Scholarship Fund - Hayden Arnold, Adrianna Dick, Gabriel Holman, Zachary Huwalt, and Mattye Jackson 

• Robert C. McDowell Band Scholarships - Kaylee Bliss, Hannah Centers, Meghan Clancy, Taylor Cooper, Khya Dielkes, William Hatten, Lucas Kinzer, Carson Kitts, Carmen Klapheke, Allie Klemme, Nina Kovach, Alexandria Landgraf, Ella Lavy, Hector Leija, Zain McCoy, Benjamin Meyer, Haiden Moore, Isaac Morrelles, Karys Nelson, Juan Ramirez, Kyla Stevens, Elijah Tarter, James Thomas, Nathan Thompson, Paige Tryon, Courtney Ward, and Tatyana West 

• Brian R. Gorrell Wildcat Marching Band Endowment - Spencer Bliss, Gino Calipo, Hunter Gregory, Aidan Hall, Samuel Jensen, Landon Kinzer, Josephine Kubas, Keelan Long, DeJuan Pride, Jacob Rudzik, Andrew Scott, MaKaden Stewart, Sullivan Tucker, Benjamin White, Brendan Dowler, Hunter Feltner, Colin Taylor, and Seth Dossa 

• William Harry Clarke Alumni Marching Band Scholarship - Devon Carlton, Adrianna Dick, Jillian Freeman, Tara Howard, and Carson Kitts