Gordon Waterhouse Memorial Music Scholarship

This Annual Scholarship was inaugurated in 2007 in memory of Gordon Waterhouse, a long time member of The Rotary Club of Chatswood who dedicated his life to both music and service above self. The scholarship honours Gordon’s memory and provides an opportunity for young musicians to be recognised for their performance excellence and their contribution to their school or wider community.

It also gives us Rotarians and friends an opportunity to enjoy the incredible diversity of musical expertise displayed by these amazing young musicians.

A music scholarship of $2,000 to be used for further music education by a student from a High School within the area of The Rotary Club of Chatswood. With an aim of furthering awareness of the value of music participation whilst fostering ideals of service the scholarship is awarded to a candidate based on three criteria:

• 1. Outstanding performance;
• 2. Participation in musical life of the school;
• 3. Good citizenship.

Past winners include:-

Som Howie, Chatswood High School 2007
Som Howie, is now in his 3rd year of BMus at Sydney Con, is now Principal Clarinetist in the Sydney Con. Symphony Orchestra and in May 2010 was performing with the Orchestra in Germany. He is a finalist in the Con concerto competition to be decided later in the year.

Som continues to gain high honours and demonstrate leadership in his B.Mus at the Conservatorium.

Louise Peake, Willoughby Girls High School 2008
Louise Peake, is now in her 2nd year of B Mus at Sydney Con, and is very excited at being selected to play in a Saxophone quartet at World Expo in Shanghai in July 2010. She will be performing in the Australian Pavilion. As well as giving solo recitals at the Con, Louise has also formed a sax quartet playing contemporary music. She’s also keeping up her soccer practice and playing!

Louise is gaining outstanding results in her B.Mus at the Conservatorium.

Read an update on Louise's experiences in Shanghai

Alex Mau, Chatswood High School 2009
Alexander Mau is now in the selective stream of year10 at Chatswood High School. He has continued to study Piano but is also playing French Horn in the School Orchestra. “Winning the GWMMS of $2,000 last year (2009) was just the greatest thing that happened to me in Music up till then”, Alexander said at this year’s Scholarship Final. Since that Award Alex has travelled to Europe with the orchestra. Earlier this year Alex had the excitement of playing a recital on the Steinway Concert Grand at the Theme and Variations Steinway Showroom. His comment? “It was awesome!”

Alex is continuing his music studies in Year 11 at Chatswood High School

Michael Augenicos, Chatswood High School 2010
Michael, whose instrument is tenor saxophone, plays a key role in his school ensembles and in concerts for senior citizens as a leader and soloist. He achieved a high distinction in his AMEB exams and in his spare time plays Australian Rules Football (presumably as a ruckman in view of his height). Hopefully the Swans will appreciate his multiple talents sooner rather than later. Initially he played ‘Andante et Bolero’ by Jules Demerssen, one of the earliest solo pieces composed for saxophone and was accompanied by last year’s winner Alexander Mau. He was then joined by his band consisting of Liam Burrows (piano), Jack Single (bass) and Joe Brown (drums) in a stirring performance of ‘Wee Dot’ by JJ Johnson.

Michael is continuing his music studies in year 12 at Chatswood High School.

How you can participate

Nominations will open in February 2012 and details will be provided at that time. In the meantime if you would like more information please contact us at Chatswood Rotary - GWS 2012

Applicants must attend a school in the Chatswood/Willoughby district and will be interviewed by a judging panel prior to performing before an audience in a local theatre. Only one nomination will be accepted from each school.

If you would like to make a donation to this Scholarship we invite you to do so. Please complete the fields below and enter the amount you wish to donate before you click the donation button.

Online donations are currently unavailable, but will return in February 2012. To make a direction donation please contact us.