Jake Church wins Muriel May Scholarship
NZSM student Jake Church has won the 16th Muriel May Scholarship Competition.
The competition was started in 1998 by Sylvia May in memory of her mother, Muriel May, and is open to young musicians from Taranaki. Adjudicator Richard Mapp said that he made his choice ‘by responding purely as a musician’ and awarded the $10,000 scholarship to Jake.
Jake has just graduated with Honours in Classical Guitar at NZSM. In a review of his performance in the Taranaki Daily News, Anne Bovett said ‘his experience performing around the country showed in his easy manner and obvious enjoyment.’
However it wasn't certain at the time that Jake was going to be able to take part in the competition. Just a few months ago Jake fell off his scooter in Wellington and injured his hand. Despite this, he managed to still go ahead with a two week performing tour around New Zealand. And, after further recovery time he competed in this competition alongside five other young musicians, to take out the prestigious scholarship prize.