Last updated on April 20, 2022
By Nichollas Plucker
Elizabeth Chandler of Westmoreland was awarded a $20,000 singing scholarship to Austin Peay State University. The Volunteer State Community College student had to pass a live audition for the award.
Elizabeth Chandler is an Associate of Fine Arts major and will be graduating in May. She will continue her study at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN this fall, and she will pursue a degree in Music Education.
“I was extremely surprised and ecstatic when I won the award. I had no idea what amount I would be offered. I had heard different stories from other students and knew that the auditions would be very competitive. During the week leading up to the audition the nerves were getting to me. I remember we did a voice lab the Wednesday before, and my legs were shaking. I felt that my teachers Mark Granlund and Nancy Slaughter had prepared me very well. I had never done a vocal audition before. It’s a very frightful thing to be judged vocally based on a scholarship. Without the scholarship, I didn’t believe I could continue my music path at APSU. This scholarship is definitely a blessing from the Lord,” Said Elizabeth Chandler.
Through an agreement with Vol State and Austin Peay, Associate of Fine Arts voice students who perform a sophomore recital and graduate will enter the university as juniors.
On April 3, Elizabeth will present her sophomore recital in SRB 151 at 3 p.m. Her program will last one hour and will include repertoire from major musical historical periods. She will begin her recital with “Vittoria, Vittoria!” by Giacomo Carissimi. The recital is free and the public is invited to attend.
“I want people to know that even if it seems impossible, it never hurts to try. Prepare yourself well and walk away knowing you gave it your best effort,” said Chandler.
“The $20,000 music scholarship will be divided equally over her semesters of study at Austin Peay. This is the highest amount one of our students has received. Over the last six years, our AFA students have auditioned and received over $20,000 in scholarships. In addition to Austin Peay, Vol State music students have transferred and are studying at Belmont University, Tennessee Tech University and Middle Tennessee State University. Rachel Hall (Loney) has been the graduate assistant in voice at Austin Peay and will be graduating with her Master’s in Vocal Performance in May,” said Nancy Slaughter, Music Faculty.
“The Music Department currently has several AFA voice students that will be completing their studies at Volunteer State next year. We look forward to another year of study and watching them succeed as they continue their musical studies,” said Nancy Slaughter.
For more information: | Volunteer State Community College
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