Lisa Bruna B-Major Award
Nominations for the 2024 Lisa Bruna B-Major Award are now OPEN!
Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Through a yearly audition process, Palm Beach Symphony awards one to three high school seniors in Palm Beach County who are planning to pursue a degree program in music with an advanced level instrument. Each student recipient will work closely with Palm Beach Symphony to identify, test, and select the ideal instrument, enabling them to further their studies and share their music with others into the future.
The award was renamed in the second year of the program in honor of Lisa Bruna for her talents as a writer, her passion for helping others, and her significant contributions to the Palm Beach Symphony.
Eligibility
Student nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Student must be a current high school senior
- Student must be planning to enter a music degree program at a university or institution of higher education
- Student must present with a financial need. See requirements noted below.
- Student must be in good academic standing
- Student must be nominated by a music teacher or private instructor who believes the student will thrive as a music major in college
Nomination and Selection Process
Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 19, 2023
- Nominators must be a music teacher and/or private music instructor.
- Nominators must complete the nomination form (available below) and submit it by Sunday, November 19, 2023. Please note that submitting the student's resume with the nomination form is highly recommended though not required.
- The student's resume must be submitted by Sunday, November 19, 2023. Please email to bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org
- Parents of a nominated student must submit their most recent 2022 tax returns by Sunday, November 19, 2023. Both parents should submit these documents whether they are filing jointly or individually. This is to prove financial need. Please email to bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org If tax return(s) of parents are not available, please send an email outlining such.
- Students must prepare two contrasting musical works for an audition in front of a panel of judges. If a student does not have two contrasting works prepared, they may play one musical work and one etude.
- Auditions/interviews will be held at the Symphony offices in early December.
- Winner(s) will have the opportunity to select and test a variety of instruments in order to choose the best fit. The goal is for the student to have the instrument for practice prior to their college auditions.
- Winner(s) will be invited to attend the Palm Beach Symphony Annual Gala on March 6, 2024 where the official awarding of the instrument will take place.
Congratulations to the following past Lisa Bruna B-Major Award winners:
2023 Winners
Julianna Bramble, Viola - 2023 1st Place Winner
Bobbi Zimmerman, Clarinet - 2023 2nd Place Winner
Makens Joseph, Tuba - 2023 3rd Place Winner
2022 Winners
Dion Sellitti, baritone saxophone – 2022 winner
Ellen Dahlstrom, oboe – 2022 runner-up
2021 Winners
Anabella Paolucci, violin – 2021 winner
Derek Janoff, clarinet – 2021 winner
Paul Stancampiano – 2021 runner-up
2020 Winners
Abigail McNutt, violin – 2020 winner
Samuel Soliz, alto saxophone – 2020 first runner-up
2019 Winner
Valentina Paolucci, violin – 2019 winner
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