Invest in our youth. Invest in our community.
Invest in our future.
Help us share the power of music through transformative performances, teaching opportunities, social development, and high-quality musical experiences. Any student who plays an instrument can apply for the Jack Halkides Music Scholarship or audition for CYS!
How much does it cost?
$215
$500-1000
$500-1000
$11,000
THE JACK HALKIDES MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND
WANT TO DONATE TO THE JACK HALKIDES MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND?
You can click on the donation button to donate online, or speak with Bridgette L. Neisel,
Vice President of Advancement at the Stark Community Foundation, to discuss other options for donation. She can be contacted by calling 330-454-7992 or emailing bneisel@starkcf.org.
Application Requirements
- Completed electronic application with:
- Student Statement about why they want this award (300 words or less) in PDF format.
- Student’s MP3 with 3 minutes or less of student playing their instrument.
- Documentation of the student’s financial need.
- Completed Checklist of Application Requirements and Activities at the end of this application.
Applications are due by March 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.
The Jack Halkides Tribute Fund was created through the Stark Community Foundation 2014 by a group of musicians, friends, and family of the late Jack Halkides, local musician and music educator. Jack passed away in 2015 at the age of 85, but not before he expressed his wishes that the fund established in his honor be used to support middle school musicians.
The Jack Halkides Music Scholarship Fund has historically been affiliated with the Stark County Educational Service Center, who diligently worked to distribute and receive the applications. In 2025, the Canton Symphony was honored to accept the responsibility of promoting this wonderful scholarship opportunity. To this day, this scholarship fund continues to be managed by the Halkides Committee, which is lead by Chair Gail Martino.
Jack was well known in the area for his jazz and band music. He graduated from Timken High School, was in the United States Air Force, and was the Chief Deputy for the Stark County Treasurer’s Office for 25 years. During all of that time he played in big bands and small bands, taught music lessons in several Stark County schools, and gave private lessons.
Jack’s wish was that his legacy be a testament to young musicians; he urged them to “Practice, practice, practice”. The Jack Halkides Tribute Fund will assist promising musicians to do just that – with a little help from a friend.
The annual Jack Halkides Music Scholarship Fund (JHMSF) will be awarded to one or more students who will be in 5th-11th grade next year in a public school that is affiliated with the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC), or homeschooled and residing within Stark County. Students must be nominated by their current music teacher and must play bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, piano/keyboard, saxophone, French horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba, double bass, cello, viola, or violin. The award winner(s) may receive 10 hours of private music lessons from a highly-skilled musician, selected by the JHMSF Committee. New this year, applicants may also submit proposals for funding to be used towards other musically enriching experiences such as tuition for a summer music camp/program.
To be eligible, a student must be in at least a second year of instrumental music in school, unless music class was not available in the school district the student attends prior to the application year. A student may only be nominated by their music teacher. More details and requirements are available by following the link below.
Click here to learn more and apply for this scholarship.
Email Caroline Eberhard, CSO Director of Education & Community Engagement, at ceberhard@cantonsymphony.org for more information or with any questions!
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CYS STUDENTS
While participating in Canon Youth Symphonies is incredibly rewarding for most students, some families simply cannot afford to cover the cost of tuition. Here at the CSO, we firmly believe that no child should be barred from participating in music education and performance simply because they cannot afford the cost of entry. That is why we guarantee tuition scholarships to 100% of families who demonstrate need on their application. These scholarships range anywhere from 25-100% off, depending on individual circumstances.
Why do we charge tuition? The cost of running CYS is over $30,000 per year, and it would be unsustainable for us to continue to offer this program if we did not receive income from tuition, concert ticket sales, fundraisers, and donations. Your contribution to the annual fund helps cover these costs so we can continue to provide high-quality musical experiences to all students, regardless of financial means.
Click here to learn more about the annual fund.
Find the 25-26 tuition scholarship application here.
This fund was set up in December 2016 to honor the retirement of longtime Canton Symphony Orchestra Director of Education & Community Engagement, Lisa Boyer. Through generous gifts from staff, friends and family, this fund will now assist students who wish to study music in college. One or two awards per year will be awarded and are nonrenewable.
Preference is given to students who plan on studying Music Education but other music majors will be considered.
Please consider contributing to this fund. The fund is held at the Stark Community Foundation, but we need other gifts to keep it alive!
This fund was set up in October 2020 to honor longtime Canton Symphony supporter Donna Leibensperger. Through generous gifts from staff, friends and family, this award will be presented to one or two musicians who are chosen by the CYS Conductors and Director of Education & Community Enagagement for their outstanding musicianship and contributions to the group.
Please consider contributing to this fund. The fund is held at the Stark Community Foundation but we need other gifts to keep it alive!
Click here to Donate to the Donna H. Leibenspreger Scholarship Fund.
