Department of Music Handbook

The Music Department recognizes outstanding music students at the Academic Honors Day in April.  At the discretion of the music faculty, these awards may be presented each year.

The music faculty annually selects the recipients for the following endowed music scholarships:

The Curry/Marchman Memorial Music Scholarship was established in 1998 in loving memory of Alva Curry Marchman '34; her father, Lathey E. Curry '17; and her husband, James F. Marchman, Jr. '33, by her estate at the request of her sons, James F. Marchman, III and Philip R. Marchman, her son-in-law George R. Veal, and her grandson, Brian Veal.

Alva Curry Marchman earned a degree in music with a minor in math from Georgetown College and continued to pursue her love of music in various symphonic groups and choirs throughout her life.  She was also very active in the Maskrafters performing group and returned to the campus several times to play her role of Lady Bracknell when the play The Importance of Being Earnest was revived every ten years.  Alva was fond of recalling that she was actually born in Georgetown's Pawling Hall, then a men's dorm, when her father and mother were serving as "house parents" for the building during Lathey E. Curry's time of study at Georgetown.  L. E. Curry spent his life as an educator and Baptist minister, and was the first president of Campbellsville College.  James F. Marchman, Jr., met Alva Curry during his first term at Georgetown and shared some of her musical activities in choral groups.  Jim and Alva lived for many years in Forest City, N.C., where he owned a retail business.  Both were very active in leading international and local lay missions work for North Carolina Baptists, and Jim was a leader in regional aviation activities.

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to deserving non-music majors who are participants in Georgetown College instrumental programs.  It is to serve to emphasize and recognize that music can be an important aspect of everyone's life, and to recognize the musical accomplishments and love of music by students studying for degrees in areas other than music.

The scholarship may be awarded to any student meeting the following criteria:  full-time junior or senior undergraduate student in a degree granting program other than music, maintains at least a 2.5 GPA, is an active participant in one of the college's instrumental music ensembles and has exhibited a desire for a lifelong association with instrumental music activities, in good standing with the college.  While financial need may be a consideration, it is not a requirement.

One scholarship will be awarded each year from the fund's income of the preceding year, per Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester, and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the faculty of the music department who work with the College's instrumental musical groups, in consultation with the Office of Student Financial Planning.  Dr. James F. Marchman, III, son of Alva C. Marchman, is notified annually of the recipient.

Lucile Hazelip Memorial Music Scholarship

The Lucile Hazelip Memorial Music Scholarship was established in loving memory of Lucile Hazelip '25 by Orilla Hazelip Greenwood, her sister, and Kenneth Greenwood, her brother-in law.  Lucile Hazelip was one of three sisters who graduated from Georgetown College.  Although she majored in biology at Georgetown, she was also a music student, exhibiting a love for music that lasted throughout her life.  She also attended Peabody College (TN) and the University of Arizona, and she taught in the Arizona public schools.  Lucile possessed a good sense of humor and was a person of many and varied talents.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to women at Georgetown College who are majoring in music, with preference given to piano students. 

In order to receive this scholarship one must be a full-time female undergraduate student majoring in music (preferably piano) who intends to graduate from Georgetown College, not be on academic probation, exhibits acceptable campus citizenship, and has financial need. 

Two scholarships are awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the Office of Student Financial Planning.  Mrs. Orilla Greenwood is notified annually of the recipients.

Adda F. Layton Hilke and Ruth Hilke Scholarship

This was established by James Hilke, husband and brother, respectively, of the women for whom the scholarship is named.  Preference will be given to direct descendants of the donor.  This scholarship will be awarded in alternate years to full-time students majoring in Music or Religion.  (Religion:  even fall years, Music:  odd fall years).

Samuel Hodges Music Scholarship

The Samuel Hodges Music Scholarship has been established through annual gifts by Mr. James A. Roberts to Georgetown College.  A long-time supporter of the College, Mr. Roberts hopes to endow a scholarship fund honoring his friend, Mr. Samuel Hodges, through a will bequest.

Jim Roberts began his education at Murray State College and transferred to the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He has worked for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the engineering department throughout his career.  Assigned to the construction of Interstate 75 project, Mr. Roberts lived in Georgetown throughout the duration of the project and became acquainted with a professor in the Music Department, Mr. Samuel Hodges.  Through his association with Mr. Hodges, Mr. Roberts' love for all types of music flourished.  His understanding and appreciation of music broadened and was further enriched by his travels throughout the world.

Mr. Hodges came to Georgetown College in 1969 as a professor in piano.  During his tenure at the College, Samuel Hodges and colleague Daniel Tilford were often showcased through their piano and organ duos.  Mr. Hodges retired from the College in 1984; however, he remains extremely active in the music field, participating in various church activities as well as accompanying voice teachers at the University of Louisville.  Mr. Hodges, as both performer and composer, hopes his legacy through the students he touched is this:  give attention to the composer's intentions, then play for the "heart."

The purpose of the scholarship is provide financial assistance to students enrolled at Georgetown College in any music degree program.

Any student meeting the following criteria may be considered for an award:  full-time undergraduate student at GC, is a rising junior with a declared major or minor in music, maintains a grade point average of 2.5 or better.  The scholarship is renewable for the student's senior year if eligibility requirements are met.

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year, per Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the Office of Student Financial Planning.  The donor is notified of the scholarship recipients on an annual basis.

Ruth Kerr LaRue Scholarship in Music

This was established in 1989 by Mrs. Ruth Kerr LaRue who did not attend Georgetown College herself, but had three sisters, a brother and five nephews and nieces attend Georgetown.  Her interest in Christian higher education is why this scholarship was established in the honor of these family members.

The purpose of the scholarship is provide encouragement and financial assistance to students who wish to major in music at Georgetown College.

This scholarship is awarded to students planning to graduate from Georgetown College with a major in music.  Recipients must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, need financial assistance, and exhibit good campus citizenship; entering freshmen 3.0 in high school. 

The scholarship is awarded annually with one-half of the award given each semester.  The scholarship is funded by the fund's income of the preceding year.  The maximum award per student is $1,000 per semester ($2,000 per year).  Income in excess of $2,000 is used for additional scholarships at the discretion of the chair of the music department.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the faculty of the music department.  Mrs. Ruth Kerr LaRue is notified annually of the recipient(s).

Catherine Cress Martin Scholarship

This scholarship is to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students at Georgetown College, with preference given to music students.

The donors direct that any student in good standing may be considered for an award, with preference given to music students, at the discretion of the Office of Student Financial Planning.  Scholarship recipients are chosen by college personnel appointed by the president.  The donors are notified of the recipients on an annual basis.

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's revenue of the preceding year per Georgetown College spending policy, with one half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one half for the spring semester.

This scholarship was established in 1993 by Evelyn Cress Kelly in memory of her sister, Catherine Cress Martin.Catherine Cress, daughter of Abner and Mabel Combs Cress, was born in Oneida, Kentucky in 1914.  She married Walter Martin in 1938 and had four children:  Betsy Kay Sams (Georgetown) who for many years worked in the GC Graduate Education Office, Walter Douglas Martin (Nicholasville), Rebecca Conner (Ft. Collins, CO); and Gordon Martin (Peoria, IL).  Betsy and Doug graduated from Georgetown, and Rebecca also attended the college.  Two of Mrs. Martin's grandchildren, Julie and Brent Sams, were enrolled at GC when the scholarship was established.

A graduate of Oneida Baptist Institute, Union College, and Miami University in Oxford, OH, Mrs. Martin also attended High Point College (NC) and Georgetown College.  She began her 35-year teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Clay County, Kentucky, and also taught in North Carolina, Indiana and Ohio.  She taught first grade for many years and retired after 23 years at Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton, OH.

Mrs. Martin was a member of Georgetown Baptist Church and a former member of West Side Baptist Church in Hamilton, OH.  She was a member of Women's Missionary Union, The Roundtable, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, and the Woman's Association of Georgetown College.

Eula Miller Scholarship

The Eula Miller Scholarship was established in 1970 by a bequest from her estate.  Eula Virginia Marriott Miller graduated from Georgetown College in 1908 with an A.B. degree in music.  She was only 18 years of age when she received her degree, making her one of Georgetown's youngest degree recipients.  Mrs. Miller did further study at the Cincinnati College of Music.  She taught music in private and public schools for 15 years, and gave private music and piano lessons during most of her lifetime.  Mrs. Miller's music interests took her all over the United States; she was often featured in concert appearances.  In the latter years of her career she devoted her talent to duos and accompaniment.  Eula Miller was married to Arch Miller, who died in November 1965.  Mrs. Miller died on October 28, 1968, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to music students at Georgetown College.  The scholarship may be awarded to any student who meets the following criteria:  full-time student planning to graduate from Georgetown College, working toward a music major/minor or is taking private lessons, has financial need.

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year in accordance with Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are selected by the Office of Student Financial Planning in consultation with music department faculty.

Joy Parson Scholarship

This was established by the friends and family of Joy Parson, a former student at Georgetown College.  The recipient must be a graduating female senior majoring in music and/or communication arts with high scholastic standards as delineated by Miss Parson (2.5 GPA, character, talent, personality and willingness to help others).  Two deserving students may receive this scholarship annually--one in Music, one in Communications.  (Communications:  even fall years, Music:  odd fall years).

Henry S. Symonds Music Scholarship

The Henry S. Symonds Music Scholarship was established in June 1991 through a bequest from Lucy M. Symonds, Henry's wife.  Mrs. Symonds wanted to honor her beloved husband who was an accomplished musician and songwriter.  Henry Symonds composed more than 700 hymns, publishing five books of hymns.  

Henry Symonds was born in New York state and moved with his parents to Orlando, FL, in 1908.  Henry helped operate the family's 10-acre orange grove and small fruit packing and shipping business.  When his father died in 1924, he began carrying much of the growing company's responsibilities, and the A.D. Symonds and Son business became a leader among orange growers' cooperatives and citrus organizations.

During this time Henry also found time to nurture his love for and dedication to the world of sacred music.  By practicing piano religiously and studying music in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, he developed a broad repertoire, and he composed more than 700 hymns.  He published five books of hymns, donating over 2,000 copies to churches in eight states.  He wrote seven songs about Georgetown College and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from GC in 1975.  In the 1980s, he and Lucy were key contributors toward the purchase of an electronic organ for the John L. Hill Chapel.

Henry was an ordained deacon for more than 50 years, and was minister of music at First Baptist Church of Orlando.  Henry and Lucy raised four children, and their daughter, Eva Foley, wrote the words to Henry's songs.

The purpose of the scholarship is to help make it possible for any regularly-enrolled student majoring or minoring in music to attend Georgetown College.  The scholarship may be awarded to any student who meets the following criteria:  (1) is a full-time student planning to graduate from Georgetown College, (2) maintains passing grades, (3) has financial need, (4) is a music major or minor.  

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year in accordance with Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the Office of Student Financial Planning.  Mrs. Eva S. Foley is notified annually of  the scholarship recipients.

A. G. Thomson Music Scholarship

The A. G. Thomson Music Scholarship was established through the charitable trust of Margaret Thomson, widow of A. G. Thomson, longtime music professor at Georgetown College.  This trust was established by Ms. Thomson and her family.

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of need and academic merit to any regularly-enrolled student of the college.  Preference shall be given to students majoring or minoring in music and who are actively participating in the college band.

Any student who is (1) a full-time student, (2) maintains a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, and (3) possesses financial need may be considered for the award.

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year, per Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the Office of Student Financial Planning in consultation with the director of the college band and chairperson of the music department.  The family of A. G. Thomson shall be notified of the scholarship recipients on an annual basis.

Grace Weller Piano Award

The Grace Weller Piano Award was established in 1996 through a bequest from Miss Grace Weller of Phoenix, AZ. 

The purpose of this award is to alleviate the financial burden on at least one piano student per year by covering the cost of applied lessons through the college's music department.  The award is made on the basis of need and academic merit.

Eligibility: full-time student taking piano lessons through the college's music department, possess financial need, maintain passing grades, plan to graduate from Georgetown College.  The scholarship is renewable, not to exceed a four-year period.

The scholarship is awarded from the fund's income of the preceding year in accordance with Georgetown College spending policy, with one-half the amount awarded for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the Office of Student Financial Planning in consultation with the chair of the music department.

Kenneth M. Wells Music Scholarship

The Kenneth M. Wells Music Scholarship was established in 1980 by Kenneth M. Wells, a 1929 graduate of Georgetown College.  Mr. Wells received scholarship aid during his senior year that enabled him to continue music courses and prepare for a teaching job in music.

Following graduation from GC, Mr. Wells taught music for nine years in the Mayfield city schools.  He then went into private business as a commercial photographer and later expanded into picture framing.  He was a dealer for the Framehouse Gallery in Louisville, KY.

Mr. Wells was a Rotarian for many years.  He also served as president of the Kentucky Professional Photographers Association and the Jackson Purchase Historical Society.  He retired in 1979 and lived in Mayfield, KY, until his death on August 17, 1997.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students majoring or minoring in music at GC.  Criteria:  full-time student, plans to graduate from GC, intends to or is majoring or minoring in music, has at least a 2.5 GPA, has financial need.  Academic standing, sincerity of purpose, and service to the college will be given primary consideration.

One-half of the award is given each semester.  The amount of the scholarship is 90% of the annual interest earned by the fund from the preceding year.  The remaining 10% is added to the principal of the fund.  One scholarship is awarded until the amount reaches $1,000 annually, and then a second scholarship is awarded.  After the second scholarship reaches $1,000 annually, the two scholarships share equally in the fund's distributable earnings.  No more than two scholarships are awarded in any year.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the faculty of the music department.  The Office of Student Financial Planning administers the award.

The music faculty also annually selects the recipients for the following honors:

This is a prestigious award but not a scholarship.  The Outstanding Freshman Woman in Music is selected by the music faculty and a token gift is given.

This is a prestigious award but not a scholarship.  The Outstanding Freshman Man in Music is selected by the music faculty and a token gift is given.

Other awards given annually by the faculty at Student Life Honors Day:

• Outstanding Chorale Member

• Outstanding Concert Choir Member

• Outstanding Church Music Major

• Outstanding Tiger Band Member