ASU music students earns national scholarship
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Angelo State University senior and music major Selah Rose Kjar has received a 2023-2024 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award from the Presser Foundation in Philadelphia, an accolade that includes a $3,000 scholarship and the title of Presser Scholar.
The award is granted to students selected by their music faculty during their final year of study “who have achieved a high level of music and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and contributed to an inclusive community.” It is considered to be the most prestigious undergraduate honor in music that one can receive at ASU.
“The music faculty at Angelo State are proud of Selah’s accomplishments and of her contributions to the ASU music program,” Stephen Emmons, professor of music, said. “She has a bright future as a musician and educator, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
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Kjar, a graduate of Water Valley High School, will graduate from ASU in May with her Bachelor of Music degree with all-level teacher certification. Following her graduation, Kjar will take up the post of head band director for the Eden Consolidated Independent School District.
Her primary instrument is clarinet, and she has performed as a member of the ASU Ram Band, ASU Wind Ensemble, ASU Symphony Orchestra, ASU Symphonic Band and ASU Woodwind Ensembles. She has also performed on her secondary instruments, trombone and tuba, with the ASU Symphonic Band.
With the ASU Ram Band, Kjar was first chosen to be a section leader and then to be the student assistant to Jonathan Alvis, director of bands. As part of that leadership team, she also taught her fellow students in music and drills and helped run rehearsals. She has also served as a counselor and team member for the annual ASU Summer Music Camp since 2021.
In addition to the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, Kjar has received the ASU Performing Arts Scholarship, San Angelo Area Foundation Scholarship and San Angelo Community Band Scholarship.
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