Sara Spencer
(photo by Tom Covington)

Gene Bryant
(photo of portrait by Tom Covington)

2010 Spencer-Bryant Scholarship
Info and Forms

Guidelines || Application || Release ||

In 2009 the Charlotte Folk Society established a second scholarship to the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College. Named in honor of Sara Spencer, for many years our Central Piedmont Community College Music Department faculty sponsor, and the late Gene Bryant, long-time CPCC Music Department Chair, this scholarship will be awarded to an adult. It is offered as a means of fulfilling our mission to perpetuate traditional music and will be fully funded through a partnership between the Charlotte Folk Society and Warren Wilson College. The scholarship covers tuition ($440), provided by the Folk Society, and room and board ($350), provided by the college, a total scholarship of $790.

The scholarship is to be awarded to an intermediate or advanced adult student or performer of folk music, dance, or folklore. Equal consideration will be given to adults who are actively involved in supporting and/or preserving traditional and contemporary folk music and/or folk arts. The scholarship is a one-time award for any one of the one of the five weeks of music offered at the Swannanoa Gathering.

An applicant for the Spencer-Bryant Scholarship must:

• be 22 years or older by April 18, 2010
• either be a Charlotte Folk Society member as of March 1, 2010 or be a resident of one of the following counties: Mecklenburg County, NC; Cabarrus County, NC; Gaston County, NC; Iredell County, NC; Lincoln County, NC; Union County, NC; Lancaster County, SC; or York County, SC.
• submit an application and letter telling of your interest in traditional folk music/folk arts and why you would like to have the scholarship,
• Provide a brief history of your involvement with folk arts. You may also submit letters of recommendation and supporting documentation.
• submit a non-refundable fee of $10 with the application (checks payable to "Charlotte Folk Society"),
• return the signed liability release form (link at top of page) that accompanies the application.
• attend an interview and audition (for performers applicants) to take place at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 18, 2010, in the Myers Park Baptist Church Education Building, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC. If performing, you may have one accompanist during your audition.

Application materials can be downloaded from the top of this page or by contacting Wanda Hubicki at 704-563-7080 or phubicki@carolina.rr.com. Swannanoa Gathering class schedules and other information can be found at www.swangathering.com.

All application materials must be received by Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Completed applications and letters should be mailed with the $10 fee to the following address by the April 14th deadline: The Charlotte Folk Society, c/o Dennis Frost, 3325 Flamingo Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205.

Auditions for the scholarship will take place and the winner will be determined on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Applicants must be able to attend an interview and audition to be held at 2:00 PM in the Myers Park Baptist Church Education Building, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC.

Relatives and students of scholarship judges are not eligible to apply. 2010 judges will be Dennis Frost, Rita Hartmann, and Mark Clemens.

All applicants will receive a 2010 membership in the Charlotte Folk Society. In the event that the winner is unable to attend, the next runner-up will be awarded the scholarship.

Applicants will not be judged on the basis of religion, sex, ethnic background, economic status, or physical challenges.