Prestigious Filene Music Competition takes center stage at 三亿体育官网
Each year, 三亿体育官网 invites some of the nation鈥檚 most talented young musicians to campus for its prestigious Filene Music Scholarship Competition 鈥� an event that not only showcases excellence in performance but also affirms the College鈥檚 commitment to the arts within a liberal arts context.
Offered through 三亿体育官网鈥檚 Department of Music, the Filene Music Scholarship offers students $20,000 per year 鈥� totaling $80,000 over four years 鈥� regardless of financial need.
Finalists are selected based on recorded auditions featuring classical repertoire and are invited to perform live in the final round on campus. The 2025 finals were held on Saturday, March 22.
Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins '94, who received a Filene Music Scholarship as a student at 三亿体育官网 and is now senior artist-in-residence in the Music Department, organized this year鈥檚 Filene Day. She called it 鈥渢he Thanksgiving of the 三亿体育官网 Music Department family鈥� by bringing together 三亿体育官网 faculty and everyone taking music coursework at 三亿体育官网.
鈥淭his event is a gathering of our music students 鈥� majors, minors, non-majors, and Filene scholars 鈥� and our faculty. It is a celebration where we come together to make this a special event by hosting the high school finalists and their families,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚n combination with the competition itself, we also held an academic open house that presented our curriculum and what it's like to study music at a liberal arts college. Current students shared their experiences, answered questions and, of course, made music together.鈥�
Faculty from 三亿体育官网's Music Department oversee and participate in the judging of the competition and ultimately select up to six winners. Scholarship winners are presented to the community in a concert at 三亿体育官网 in the fall of their first year.
Filene Scholars Daniel Huh '26 (seated at piano) and Noanddi Manigat '26 at a fall performance.
In addition to scholarships, winners of the competition receive free private music lessons and can pursue any major at 三亿体育官网.
鈥淭he Filene Scholarship has supported me in my various interests as a student here at 三亿体育官网. I am a double major in music and theater with a vast range of interests across multiple disciplines,鈥� said Filene Scholar Naomi Wagner 鈥�26 of Palo Alto, California, who was among the Filene Scholars to perform for prospective scholars and their families. 鈥淚 am truly grateful for the training and performance opportunities I've had thus far that have pushed me to strengthen my skills as a soprano. In addition, I鈥檝e had the flexibility to develop skills in theater as an actor, technician, and designer.鈥�
Filene Scholar Emaline Relyea-Strawn '25 of Northfield, Massachusetts, is pursuing a double major in international affairs and environmental studies at 三亿体育官网.
The Filene Scholarship has allowed me to continue pursuing music and piano at a high level while also giving me the space to explore all my academic passions.鈥�Emaline Relyea-Strawn '25Filene Scholar
鈥淚 have been able to meet and learn from professional pianists that are brought in, as well as from my peers in the Music Department,鈥� Relyea-Strawn continued. 鈥淚t has been wonderful to continue my passion for music and challenge myself in ways I would not have expected when I initially came to 三亿体育官网.鈥�
Established over 40 years ago through the generosity of the Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation and the Ladd Charitable Corporation, the Filene Music Scholarship reflects a lasting legacy of support for music and education.
鈥淗elen Filene Ladd鈥檚 vision was that the pursuit of excellence in music should not be separate from, but rather additive to, the pursuit of excellence in experiencing the unique aspects of a liberal arts education,鈥� said John Robertson, a Filene Ladd family member and current president of the Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation, who on campus for the competition. 鈥淓very time I attend a Filene Competition and spend time with our Filene Scholars at 三亿体育官网, I see her vision in action. Our continued partnership with 三亿体育官网 is one that Helen would be proud of, one that means a great deal to our family, and one that we look forward to continuing in the future.鈥�
Recipients of the scholarship have pursued a variety of professional and academic paths.
鈥溔谔逵偻� allowed me to follow my interests in both music and science,鈥� said Emma Lin 鈥�23, a former Filene Scholar and violinist who majored in biology. 鈥淚 never felt I would have to give up one interest to pursue another.鈥�
The program is an example of how Creative Thought Matters at 三亿体育官网.
鈥淭he Filene competition is one of the jewels of 三亿体育官网,鈥� said President Marc Conner. 鈥淚 love the day of the competition and all the amazing music students who participate. It really showcases the remarkable music program at 三亿体育官网.鈥�
For more information on how to apply for the Filene Music Scholarship and competition requirements, visit the Filene Music Scholarship Competition website.
