By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



A Gardendale church is helping students to use their talent to earn college money.

ChristWay Church of God is offering the ChristWay Musicians Excellence Scholarship to upper-level high-school students.

The scholarships are not need-based, but are service-based. Recipients are required to participate on the ChristWay Musician’s Team for one year or two years.

For seniors (next school year), ChristWay is offering two $2,000 scholarships for one-year commitments. For juniors, the church is offering two $4,000 scholarships for two-year commitments.

“We recognize the need to get young people more involved in music ministry,” said Michael Lowe, program coordinator. “We also want to help provide some funds for their college education.”

Lowe said ChristWay also wants to help develop teenagers’ leadership abilities.

Scholarship recipients are required to attend 80 percent of all rehearsals and performances, including monthly forums that are “designed to enhance leadership, organizational, problem-solving and teamwork skills.”

Instrumental categories to be auditioned each year include trumpet, trombone, alto sax and tenor sax, keyboard and organ, acoustic/lead/rhythm guitar, and percussion.

Students must complete an application, including a confirmation from his or her high-school counselor that he or she is in good standing academically

Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation from:

• the student’s band director or music teacher

• a teacher or official with the applicant’s high school

• an adult not affiliated with the school

Students then must audition before an independent panel of judges. Auditions will include site reading, the playing of scales and the performance of a music selection of the student’s choice.

There will also be an interview with members of the music leadership team.

Students from Jefferson, Walker, Blount, Cullman,

St. Clair, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties will be given priority.

Home-schooled students may also apply for the scholarships.

The deadline for applications is April 30.

For more information or for an application, call ChristWay at 631-7790 or visit ChristWay’s Web site at www.christwaycog.org and go to the Music Ministry section.