The Avedis Zildjian Company recently endowed several percussion scholarships at top music schools throughout the country.
“These scholarships will honor three renowned educators at Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and the University of North Texas,” says Craigie Zildjian, executive chair of Zildjian.
The Zildjian Percussion Scholarship at Eastman School of Music recognizes Professor Emeritus John H. Beck and his long tenure at the school from 1959 to 2008. After receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastman, Beck joined the faculty in 1964 and subsequently chaired the Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Department until he retired in 2008. The Zildjian Percussion Scholarship at Oberlin Conservatory of Music honors Michael Rosen’s long tenure as Director of Oberlin’s Division of Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. Before joining the faculty at Oberlin in 1972, Rosen was principal percussionist of the Milwaukee Symphony for six years. “I came to Oberlin with every intention of having a place where I could practice for my next audition,” said Rosen. “To my delight, I realized that I actually found my calling and that teaching was my future.”
To commemorate Ed Soph’s recent retirement from the University of North Texas, Zildjian has established a scholarship for percussion students in Jazz Studies. Soph graduated from the College of Music at UNT in 1968. He then toured and recorded with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, and others before returning to the school in 1987 to teach Jazz Studies and Performance.
“Throughout their extraordinary careers, John Beck, Michael Rosen, and Ed Soph have played an important role in Zildjian’s educational program, conducting countless clinics and master classes,” says Craigie Zildjian. “We are pleased to honor these three at the very music schools where they distinguished themselves as among the most influential percussion educators of their day.”
