The Skaneateles Festival has announced it is now accepting applications for the 23rd annual Robinson Award, a $2,000 prize designed to recognize an outstanding young musician for success in music performance, citizenship, and contributions to the community.
The idea for a Skaneateles Festival came together in the spring of 1980 in discussions between musician Lindsay Groves and Skaneateles residents Beth Boudreau and Louise Robinson. The first season, two weeks, was presented that August in the village’s Library Hall. The generous David and Louise Robinson opened their home, Brook Farm, which soon became the Festival’s center. At Brook Farm, musicians would live, eat, rehearse, relax, and perform, all because of the Robinsons’ hospitality, which extended to the thousands of concertgoers who sat under the stars and listened to music on Saturday evenings for the first 36 years of the Festival.
The phrase “Spirit of the Festival” flowed from the spirit of the Robinsons, and their legacy continues today. The Skaneateles Festival’s 45th Anniversary season takes place from Aug. 1-24.
In 2002 the festival created the Robinson Award, an annual scholarship prize, to honor the memory of David and Louise Robinson. The award is given annually to a young musician whose character, musicianship, and community service reflect the values of the duo – enthusiasm and dedication to music of high quality.
Applications from students between the ages of 13 and 18 residing in the Central New York region (Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Tompkins, Madison, Oneida, and Cortland counties) will be considered. Requirements include two letters of recommendation, a written personal statement, and a 10-15 minute recording of their playing or singing. The annual presentation of the award is made at a Festival concert in August and is accompanied by a $2,000 prize. The recipient may also be invited to perform at a Skaneateles Festival event.
For the application or more information go here.
Application Deadline: March 15th, 2024
Past winners include:
2023 Winner Paul Di Folco, piano, Manlius Pebble Hill
2022 Winner: Kate O’Leary, flute, Marcellus H.S.
2021 Winner: Charlie Loh, violin, F’ville-Manlius H.S.
2020 Winner: Daiwei Shen, violin, Nottingham H.S.
2019 Winner: Kaelem Michel, piano, Fayetteville
2018 Winner: Hannah Kang, violin, Christian Bros. Academy
2017 Winner: Ivan Yumagulov, piano, C.W.Baker H.S.
2016 Winner: Christopher Spinelli, piano, Fville-Manlius H.S.
2015 Winner: Brian Gadbow, cello, Whitesboro H.S.
2014 Winner: Erin Dowler, clarinet, West Genesee H.S.
2013 Winner: Cheryl Fries, bassoon, Red Creek H.S.
2012 Winner: Ben Parks, viola, Manlius Pebble Hill
2011 Winner: Katherine Zhang, flute, Fville-Manlius H.S.
2010 Winner: Alicia Friedrichs, violin, Fville-Manlius H.S.
2009 Winner: Nicholas Hrynyk, piano, Auburn C.S.
2008 Winner: Elizabeth Sutphen,mezzo-soprano, Manlius Pebble Hill
2007 Winner: Nina Elhassan, clarinet, West Genesee H.S.
2006 Winner: Laura Britton, oboe, Westhill H.S.
2005 Winner: Owen Kelley, violin, F’ville-Manlius H.S.
2004 Winner: Matthew Pikarsky, piano, home schooled
2003 Winner: Stephanie Cambra, flute, Liverpool H.S.
2002 Winner: Adam Gay, piano, Skaneateles H.S.
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