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Lorna Spain Orchestra Scholarship

Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra cellist

Photo by Kody Shriver / Students who play the violin, viola, cello or string bass in the symphony are invited to apply for the Lorna Spain Orchestra Scholarship.

Grande Ronde Symphony Association funds new scholarship

News contact: Laura Hancock, University Advancement, 541-962-3585 

LA GRANDE, Ore. July 8, 2016 – Eastern Oregon University’s Foundation is unveiling a new scholarship and it promises to be a bright note for string musicians.

Funded by the Grande Ronde Symphony Association (GRSA), the Lorna Spain Orchestra Scholarship will provide $1,500 for an undergraduate EOU student – either newly accepted or currently enrolled – who plays the violin, viola, cello or string bass in the symphony.

The award is renewable for up to five years and students do not need to be music majors to be eligible to apply.

Patty Sandoz, symphony board president, worked with the EOU Foundation to establish the scholarship dedicated to Spain. Sandoz said that Spain, who is the past president of the symphony and remains involved as an honorary board member, “gave tirelessly to the symphony” and that the association wanted to honor her for her contributions.

The Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra performs at EOU’s Loso Hall and is one of the longest running in the state. Membership is comprised of area residents, EOU students, faculty, staff and others. Zeke Fetrow of Portland is the conductor and music director.

Other programs include the Grande Ronde Student Symphony, directed by Mark Emerson of La Grande, and Grande Ronde Chamber Series featuring performances by various musicians in local homes.

Sandoz said GRSA saw an opportunity to “help an EOU student who plays a stringed instrument to keep up with their hard-earned skills” while also buoying the strings section of the symphony.

“We hope the scholarship also brings Lorna the recognition she so richly deserves,” Sandoz added.

The EOU Foundation has a long history of partnering with community organizations like GRSA to provide financial assistance for students and currently administers over 90 individual scholarships.

Students interested in applying for the Lorna Spain Orchestra Scholarship should go to www.eou.edu/music/scholarship-opportunities and complete the University Music Award Online Application.

For information on the scholarships available through the EOU Foundation or how to contribute to this or other funds, call 541-962-3740 or email foundation@eou.edu.