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Music is the way I express myself -- often when words fall short. Music is so much a part of

who I am and a true passion. This passion all started when I was around 8 years old when I was

pressing random keys on the piano. My first interaction with the piano would lead me to the

world of music that I have fallen in love with.

I have been fortunate to have music teachers who are mentors that have assisted and supported

my passion for music both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to these music educators I

am our current principal cellist in the Symphonic Orchestra and lead alto saxophonist in the

Wind Ensemble. I also have been given the opportunity in school to learn two extra instruments

this year, the violin in Concert Orchestra and the tenor saxophone in Jazz Band.

Performing has been a highlight in my life, whether it be for performing at school concerts,

Marching Band, piano recitals for local parents to concerts in Europe. Most recently, I

accompanied the All County Choir on the cello for the 2024 concert. This was a new and

memorable experience. I have discovered a passion for music education as well. When our

orchestra teacher is out of school, I lead the Concert Orchestra in rehearsal. In sixth grade, I was

given the opportunity to hold rehearsals and conduct our sixth grade band in a concert. These

have been great experiences. In pursuing music education, I want to share with others the love

of music and be like the teachers who inspired me to work hard in pursuit of this dream.

My greatest music accomplishment was getting accepted into the Crane School of Music.The

Joseph P . Spereno Music Scholarship will help me financially to pursue my dream of being a

music education major. I appreciate the committee’s review and thank you for considering my application.

Sarah is part of the Oswego High School graduating class of 2023.  Sarah has been involved in music for her entire life, as her older brother and sister were both active members of the Oswego Marching Buccaneers/ Color-guard, or band, chorus, and orchestra.  Sarah participated in choir since third grade, and was accepted into Chamber Singers at Oswego High School her junior year.  Sarah often participated in extra-curricular music events in her high school music career, such as All County chorus her sixth grade, eighth grade, freshman, junior and senior years;  Area All State treble choir her junior year and Area All State mixed choir her senior year; Conference All State mixed choir also in her senior year.  Sara often participated in Drama at OHS as President of the Drama and Musical clubs, and has plans to carry on with theater in college.  Sarah is attending Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam pursuing a degree in music education on the choral track.  

Anna Cloonan is a member of the Oswego High School's graduating class of 2023.  Ann has been playing flute for nine years, and piano for eight years.  She was a member of the Oswego High School Wind Ensemble for four years, and a featured soloist with the Oswego Marching Buccaneers.  Anna has been a member of the OCMEA All County Band since sixth grade, Area All State Band since freshman year, and was accepted into the NYSSMA Conference All State Symphonic Band her senior year.  She also held the role of the principal flutist for one year in the Syracuse Symphoria Young Artists Orchestra.    Alongside her participation in numerous ensembles, Anna has taken private flute lessons with Kristen Jorgensen for eight years.  Last summer, she was given the opportunity to study with the flutist Professor Amy Porter for one week at the University of Michigan.  Anna is continuing her music education at Cornell University where she intends to major in Music Performance and English.  

Andrew Bornheimer is a member of the Oswego High School’s  graduating class of 2019. Andrew, the youngest of nine children, has  been a member of several music groups and sports teams throughout his  high school career. Andrew has been a part of the Oswego High School’s  Wind Ensemble for four years, where he plays the French Horn, along with  being a member of the Chamber singers for three years, and a trumpet  player in the Jazz Bands. He has also been a member of the JV and  Varsity Soccer teams, and the Track and Field team. Andrew has  participated in several extracurricular events, including being a member  of the Youth Conservatory at SUNY Oswego, All-County Band and Chorus,  Area All-State Band and Chorus, Conference All-State for choir, and most  notably, All-Eastern for choir. Andrew has participated in several  theatrical groups. He has completed shows with the Baldwinsville Theater  Guild, the Oswego Children’s Theater, the Oswego Player’s Theater, the  Oswego Opera Company, the Oswego High School’s Drama Club, and the  Oswego High School’s Musicals. Some of his most recent productions were Kiss Me, Kate, as Fred, and Picnic as Hal Carter. Andrew is attending Nazareth College starting in the  2019 fall semester with plans to graduate with a B.F.A in Musical  Theater in 2023.