The Williamsport Music Club will be presenting its annual Madelyn Budd Scholarship and Doris Teufel Award at a gala on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Market Street.
This is in keeping with the mission and goals of the almost 90-year-old Williamsport Music Club, which is to:
– Advance the culture of music in the Susquehanna valley region
– Develop and maintain high musical standards
– Aid and encourage continuing music education
– Promote music appreciation and regional musicians.
The club was founded in 1937 and is a member of both the Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs and the National Federation of Music Clubs.
According to Mitzi Burget, who, along with Kay Huffman, is the chair of this year’s event, the scholarship has grown from a small honorarium to $1,500. It is open to any Lycoming County student planning to continue their music education beyond high school.
The recipient is chosen by a panel of judges at an open audition. This year’s audition will be held on April 12.
The scholarship is fully funded by members of the Williamsport Music Club, patrons, and community members.
Another monetary award is the Doris Heller Teufel Award, presented each year for $100 to a worthy recipient. This award is chosen by the input of members of the music faculties of all the Lycoming County schools.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the presentation of the Budd Scholarship, Matthew Radspinner, the first person to win a Budd Scholarship, and Kristen Ivers, President of the Pennsylvania Music Clubs, who was also a past President of the Williamsport Music Club, will perform a piece by Chopin. The winner of this year’s scholarship will also be invited to perform.
Several of the past Budd Scholarship recipients have told Webb Weekly what the scholarship meant to them.
Matthew Radspinner stated, “As the first recipient of the scholarship in 1997, I was honored to have received that first scholarship. That money helped my family cover some unexpected expenses at the beginning of my college career at Penn State. It was rewarding to be validated for all the hard work that goes into college auditions. I thank the Williamsport Music Club and its patrons.
Lora Boll, 2016 scholarship recipient, said, “The WMC scholarship contributed immensely to my ability to attend Wheaton College as a conservatory student. I am grateful to the WMC for helping to make studying at Wheaton College possible.”
Lucas Bower was the 2025 recipient of the scholarship, and he stated,” The WMC scholarship has helped me greatly during my first year at Lycoming College. The scholarship has allowed me to participate in various musical activities, such as choir and chamber choir, and to take lessons. I have used scholarship money to purchase music books and take organ lessons at the college. I have been very grateful to have received the WMC/Budd Scholarship.
The Budd Scholarship Gala is free and open to the public.
