Glacier Symphony scholarships awarded to local students

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale recently presented scholarship awards to three Columbia Falls musicians — Amy Haymond, Chanel Intaratanod and John McLean.

Intaratanod, a senior at Columbia Falls High School, didn’t speak English when she emigrated from Thailand five years ago.

Since then, she has studied oboe under high school band teacher Karen Ulmer and plans to study music performance and education at the University of Montana-Missoula. She says her dream is to be a college professor and band teacher and to start a music camp for young musicians.

McLean is home-schooled and has been passionate about music from the age of 6. Currently he studies piano with Billy Thompson at North Valley Music School. His musical passion is composing for media and concert pieces, and his goal is to compose full time and teach after college.

He plays viola for his church, the Glacier Symphony and with a trio. He looks forward to using the scholarship money to fund his piano lessons, helping him grow and learn in his areas of musical interest.

Haymond is also home-schooled and is currently studying violin with Sam Taylor at North Valley Music School. She hopes to continue her violin studies next year at Flathead Valley Community College. She is a member of the Glacier Symphony and plans to continue, as she says the education and experience have been valuable to her as a musician.

The awards were based on the students’ musical ability and potential, their participation in the Glacier Symphony, and whether they plan to pursue a career or an avocation in music. Students in grades 9-12 were eligible to apply.