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Music Scholarship Winners - Springfield

Twenty students took the stage at this year's Springfield auditions — drawn from a field of twenty-one registrants — representing a diverse array of ages, grade levels, and instruments. Judges Doug Hahn and Dale Rogers, both respected figures in the region's musical community, brought careful and discerning evaluation to a competition where the margin between top scores proved extraordinarily slim.

Behind the event, Dee Dee Gain handled scheduling and follow-up correspondence for all participants, while Jamie Greenwald managed on-site logistics and student flow. An expanded 1–10 scoring scale provided the precision the competition demanded, with top performers separated by just a few points.

Springfield Guild scholarships are open exclusively to Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra students. Award funds may be applied toward private music lessons, summer music camps, or ISYO tuition.

Awarded by the Illinois Symphony Guild of Springfield in 2026

Junior Divisions Grades 5-8

First Place $400

Jeremy Gao, Piano
7th Grade | Score: 120

Second Place $350

Raymond Chau, Piano
7th Grade | Score: 119

Third Place $300

Silas Lundeen, Violin
6th Grade | Score: 117

Honorable Mentions

Elsa O'Connell, Violin
7th Grade | Score: 109

Magdalena Osterhuber, Violin
7th Grade | Score: 106

Awarded by the Illinois Symphony Guild of Springfield in 2026

Senior Divisions Grades 9-12

First Place $400

Isaac Finn, Marimba
11th Grade | Score: 120

Second Place $350

Sebastian Kurtz, Piano
11th Grade | Score: 118

Third Place $300

Brenna Kerr, B-flat Clarinet
9th Grade | Score: 115

Honorable Mentions

Emily Shelter, Flute
11th Grade | Score: 112

Aidan Beck, Bassoon
11th Grade | Score: 111

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