Clayton Trumbull

Instruments you play/voice: Viola (8 yrs.), Violin (2 yrs.) and Bass (10 mos.).

Musical Ensemble(s) you have participated in and years of participation: SSHS-Chamber (2017-2020) and Concert Orchestra (principal violist, 2016-2017, 2019-2020), Fiddle Club (2016-2020) and string quartet (2019-2020). Saratoga Youth Symphony (principal violist, 2017-2020), SUNY Albany Symphony Orchestra (2019-2020), Skidmore Symphony Orchestra (2020), NYSSMA All-State Symphony Orchestra (2018) and String Orchestra (2019), All-County (principal violist, 2017-2020), Suburban Council (2018, 2020), and Area All-State (2017, 2018).

Musical Awards/Recognition you have received: SWCMEA Scholarship (2019) and President of Tri-M Music Honors Society (2019-2020).

NYSMMA Participation/Level Achieved: Attended NYSSMA All-State both years (Level 6).

College you will be attending: Eastman School of Music with the intended major of Music Composition.

Future Career Plans/Hopes: I want to be able to have my concert music performed and appreciated, while also being able to teach composition and viola, ideally through a professorship.

How does this scholarship help you in the future: This scholarship gives me a resource that can alleviate my future financial strain; seeking out an education in music is extremely expensive, and my final education goal would be to pursue a Ph.D., so having this support is a relief that I am thankful to have!

Advice for younger musicians in the district (elementary/middle school students): If you believe that you can do something, there is always a way. Never be afraid to reach out and ask for help, and always dedicate yourself to whatever makes you fulfilled even if your goals seem impossible to others. Something like learning an instrument may seem trivial right now, but it could be what you are passionate about in the future (that's what happened to me)!

Fun Fact: I just started learning bluegrass banjo!