Scholarships - General Information

Carmelo Scaffidi Memorial Scholarship 

$500  Grade 12 trumpet player

A $500 scholarship to a student who has demonstrated exemplary skills and a desire to pursue music with a concentration on trumpet.  Applicants must be currently enrolled in their final year of high school and applying to continue musical studies at an accredited Canadian university/college with a concentration on trumpet. Proof of acceptance is required in order to receive the scholarship.

The Memorial scholarship has been donated by Mrs. Jo-Anne Scaffidi, widow of the late Carmelo Scaffidi. 

Born in Ottawa, Carmelo emerged quickly as leader in the local musical community. With the RCMP Concert Band, from 1989 until its final performance in 1993, Carmelo was the lead trumpet player. He continued his trumpet studies with Lew Soloff (Blood Sweat and Tears) and Arnold Jacobs (Chicago Symphony). Most recently, he performed with Tito Jackson, The Funk Brothers, The Four Tops, Thelma Houston, The Former Ladies of The Supremes and other great artists like Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, and Melissa Manchester. He is remembered locally and internationally for his extraordinary musicianship, and can still be heard at every Ottawa Senators home game as the players rush on to the ice to the iconic sound of his trumpet.

Michael Scorah Memorial  Scholarship

$250  Grade 7 to 11 saxophone player

This is a scholarship sponsored by the American Federation of Musicians (local 180)  introduced in memory of Ottawa saxophonist Michael Scorah, a former Central Band and RCMP Band member and Ottawa musician. 

Michael Scorah was a member of the Canadian Forces Central Band in Ottawa until he went to Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied and taught from 1970 to 1973. He joined the RCMP Band in Ottawa, in 1973 travelling and performing throughout Canada, and many parts of the world until 1994. In addition to his regular job as a member of the band, Mike played in various ensembles around the city. An accomplished player of all woodwind instruments, he also performed with the NAC Orchestra, the Savoy Society and Orpheus Musical Theatre. After he left the RCMP Band, Mike toured with an Andrew Lloyd Webber show based in New York and played on cruise ships for about 10 years. Mike also left a legacy in the large number of students he taught, many of whom are professional musicians today. Mike taught private lessons at Canterbury and Ashbury, did clinics at many schools, and also taught at U of Ottawa and Carleton University.

Vernon Isaac Memorial Scholarship

$500  Grade 12 saxophone player

A $500 scholarship to a student who has demonstrated exemplary skills and a desire to pursue music with a concentration on saxophone.  The student must be currently enrolled in his/her final year of high school and applying to continue musical studies at an accredited Canadian university/college. Proof of acceptance is required in order to receive the scholarship.

The Memorial scholarship has been donated by Mrs. Jo-Anne Scaffidi, widow of the late Carmelo Scaffidi, and The Friends of Vernon Isaac Society.

Born in Texas in 1912, Vernon Clarence Isaac has toured all over the world as a sax player, vibraphonist and band leader. He has played with numerous jazz musicians including Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton and Charlie Parker. He made his way to Montreal and then Ottawa where he quickly became a mainstay of the local jazz scene.He put together the Vernon Isaac Big Band, with a collection of the region’s best jazz players, including Mike Tremblay, John Geggie and Roddy Ellias all of whom were profoundly influenced and enriched by Vern’s personality, mentorship and jazz experience. 

Jazzworks Camp Scholarship 

Grade 9 to 12 rhythm section player of exceptional talent                        

The recipient of this scholarship, valued at approximately $800.00, will have the opportunity to attend JazzWorks' 2023 held at CAMMAC Music Centre (near Harrington, Quebec) in late August. The three day Jazz Camp is an opportunity for adult jazz musicians and advanced high school music students to work with world-class performers and jazz educators, and is unique in the Ottawa area. The program includes master classes, small group combo rehearsals, improvisation, Jazz history, a variety of workshops and jam sessions. The scholarship is open to Grade 9-12 rhythm section players of exceptional talent. 

For more info visit:  https://www.jazzworkscanada.com/jazz-camp.html  

Carleton University Jazz Camp  Scholarship

Grade 7 to 12 trombone or bass player 

The recipient of this full scholarship will attend the Carleton University Jazz Camp. The Camp usually takes place the last week of July in Ottawa but the dates are still to be determined.

For more info, visit: carleton.ca/music/jazzcamp/

Interprovincial Music Camp Scholarship

$499

Grade 7 to 12

The recipient of this half scholarship, valued at $499.00 will attend the Jazz program at IMC, August 20th to 25th, 2023. A deposit will be due with registration. The camp is located in McKellar ON, near Parry Sound. Transportation to the camp is not included. Students applying for this scholarship need to check the camp dates to ensure they can attend.

For more info, visit: www.campimc.ca