OPSO Women’s Committee Annual Luncheon at the OP Country Club
On May 8, 2025, the OPSO Women’s Committee was entertained at their Annual Luncheon held at the OP Country Club by the Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition Winning Award Recipient soloists. They were impressed by the high performance level and musicianship of the students.
The Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra Women’s Committee, also known as the Friends of the OPSO, raise money to donate to the Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition Fund. Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition was held at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church on April 5, 2025.
Contributions can made to the “OPSO Women’’s Committee” and mailed to Tere Piper, President, 468 Hammocks Drive, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
Front left to right, 1st Place:Anthony LaPaglia-Double Bass (Frontier HS), 3rd Place: Kayla Crane-Voice (Orchard Park HS), 2nd Place: Jude Wabick-Marimba (Orchard Park HS), 3rd Place: Victoria Ieda-Violin (Clarence HS), Vivian Johnston, Music Scholarship Chair.
In the Fall, Anthony La Paglia will be attending Oberlin College in Ohio; Kayla Crane will be attending SUNY Fredonia; New York, Jude Wabick- Berkley College in Boston; and Victoria Ieda – Oberlin College in Ohio as Music Performance Majors.
57th Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition Recipients Announced!
The Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra Women’s Committee held its auditions at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church for the 57th Annual Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition and is pleased to announce the recipients of the competition.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
1st Place Award Winner: Anthony LaPaglia, Double Bass, Frontier High School, $1250.
2nd Place Award Winner: Jude Wabick, Marimba, Orchard Park High School, $1000.
3rd Place Award Winners: Victoria Ieda, Violin, Clarence High School, $375 and Kayla Crane, Voice, Orchard Park High School, $375.
Each year, since the 1960s, the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra Women’s Committee sponsors a Music Scholarship Competition. Funds are raised through their annual Plant Sale and other activites.
Professional Music Adjudicators listen to the students and award scholarships accordingly. The recipients use this scholarship towards music camps, private lessons, and even new instruments.
The Nan Ackerman Memorial Music Scholarship Competition audition is open to students in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who is an instrumentalist, pianist or vocalist, and who meets the following requirements.
– A student of Orchard Park High School or a public/private school student who is a resident of Orchard Park.
– A 9-12th grade student who is an immediate family member of any OPSO member.
– A student who studies under an OPSO musician
– A 9-12th grade student who is a member of the Southtowns Youth Orchestra.
It is recommended that a competing student be a member of their school music organization(s). The participant must play at a NYSSMA Level V or Level VI or equivalent.
Contributions will be gratefully accepted by making a check payable to “The Nan Ackerman Memorial Scholarship” and mailing to:
OP Symphony Women’s Committee
P.O. Box 332
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Your support allows us to provide scholarships to aspiring high school musicians in the WNY community.
Anthony LaPaglia, Double Bass, Frontier High School $1250
Jude Wabick, Marimba, Orchard Park High School $1000
Victoria Ieda, Violin, Clarence High School $375
Kayla Crane, Voice, Orchard Park High School $375