High School Student Scholarships
BAC MaryEllen Oliver Vocal Music Performance Scholarship
Keven Alvarenga
BAYS Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship
Noah Grant
BAC Ralph and Richard Parr Vocal Music Excellence Scholarship
Gabriel Emig
As part of their mission and goals, the Bay Area Chorus and Bay Area Youth Singers sponsor scholarships for high school seniors from selected districts in the Greater Houston Area who plan to major in vocal music in an accredited university or college. Each scholarship is worth $1,500.
The Bay Area Chorus MaryEllen Oliver Vocal Performance Scholarship is underwritten by Dr. David Nickeson in memory of his first wife, MaryEllen Oliver.
In addition, BAC joined with the Bay Area Youth Singers (BAYS) to offer The Bay Area Youth Singers Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship, which was established to honor the late BAYS’ Artistic Director, Brenda Varvoutis. It is funded entirely by donations to BAYS.
The Ralph and Richard Parr Vocal Excellence Scholarship is underwritten by Claudia Parr in honor of her late husband Ralph and her son Richard. This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding singer to be chosen from applicants for both the Oliver and Varvoutis Scholarships, thus there is no separate application for the Parr Scholarship.
Applicants can win only one scholarship and should submit only one application.
Applicants for all three scholarships will audition at BAC’s annual concert/competition called “The Voice,” which is scheduled for Sunday, March 1st, 2026 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 18220 Upper Bay Road Houston, TX.
Applications for the 2026 scholarship year will open soon. More information about scholarships will be provided on this page of our website at that time.
Graduate Student Scholarships
In 2019, the BAC created a new scholarship honoring long-time Bay Area Chorus member and former President, Jeanette Chase, The scholarship is to be awarded to a Houston-area student pursuing a masters or doctoral degree in choral conducting or arts leadership with a choral/music focus at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. Keith Lathrom, first year doctoral student, is the 2025 recipient of the Chase Scholarship.
Applications for the 2026 scholarship year will open soon. More information about scholarships will be provided on this page of our website at that time.
Pullen Award for Excellence in Music Education
The Bay Area Chorus created the Milton Pullen Choral Excellence Award in 2023 to recognize the outstanding work of a choral music educator in the Bay Area. Nominees must have taught choral music for a minimum of ten years, and must be currently teaching choir in a school in UIL Regions 17 or 19. Sheryl Munn of Moore Elementary in Pasadena ISD is the 2025 recipient of this award.
In 2026, the Pullen Award will be given to a music teacher who conducts a regularly rehearsing and performing high school choir. The 2027 award will be for an intermediate school choir teacher.
Peer nominations for 2026’s award will open in January of 2026, with a March deadline for nominations. The winner will be announced at BAC’s spring concert on May 3, 2026. Find the peer nomination form here. BAC is currently accepting donations to fund this award.
Past winners: 2024 Shannon Duckett - Deer Park Junior High