Budding classical guitarist and pianist win 2015 Bennington County Choral Society Scholarships

Colby Masse, a senior at Mt Greylock Regional High School performs for the audience and three Bennington County Choral Society judges at on May 13, 2015. The self-taught classical guitarist’s program included his own re-imagining of the opening movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata.

The judges at the Bennington County Choral Society Scholarship auditions — Joe Schaaf, Lucille Croscup, and Bruce Lee-Clark — had a tough job on May 13 as four talented and hard-working student musicians competed for two $400 scholarships. Although there were six applicants originally, two backed out before audition day.

The audience at Second Congregational Church in Bennington had an opportunity to hear wonderful performances by the four who auditioned.

Patrick James Staples, a sophomore at Long Trail School in Dorset, VT, performed challenging Preludes by Frederic Chopin and Sergei Rachmaninov.

The winners were Patrick James Staples, piano, a sophomore at Long Trail School, and Colby Masse, guitar, a senior at Mt. Greylock Regional High School. They each received $400 to help further their musical educations.

Both young talents will also get to perform at the next Bennington County Choral Society concert, in December.

Proud BCCS Scholarship winners Colby Masse, left, and Patrick James Staples.

Many, many thanks to Paul Lambert who managed the scholarship program this year, and to Suzanne Jones, Amber Leavitt, Diane Morris, and John and Pat VanVoorhis for providing refreshments.