SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Jacob Ciesinski, 2024 Octavo Singers Scholarship Recipient
Octavo Singers Scholarship 2024
The Octavo Singers are pleased to announce our 2024 scholarship winner, Jacob Ciesinski.
Jacob is currently a senior at Niskayuna High School and plans to study music education at the University of Vermont. His goal is to share his love for music and to help the next generation be as self-expressive and individual as possible through music. Since the age of 8, Jacob has participated in community theater productions and has studied piano. He has performed in the school band, NYSSMA competition, annual high school musical productions and at many other school and community events.
Jacob is described as a versatile singer who participates in several select music ensembles at Niskayuna High including Concert Mixed Chorale, Bel Canto Voices, an a capella/madrigal group, and Studio Singers, a 17-voice jazz ensemble. Jacob played the role of Paul in last year’s annual musical, A Chorus Line (School Edition) at Niskayuna High in which, as his vocal teacher describes, he gave a riveting soliloquy that was emotional and mature beyond his years.
Congratulations to Jacob! We wish him all the best as he pursues his music career.
The Octavo Singers will be awarding a $1000 cash scholarship to a junior or graduating senior high school student who shows interest
in pursuing further voice study. (Please take note that since this scholarship is only offered in alternate years [i.e. every two years/even-numbered years], eleventh-grade students should not hesitate to apply.)
ELIGIBILITY
A high school junior or senior from one of the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Schoharie.
The student must be planning to pursue vocal music education at an advanced level, for example, a major or minor in a future college program.
The funds will be paid to the scholarship winner upon receipt of proof of enrollment in such a program at their chosen school of higher education.
APPLICATIONS must include:
The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2026, by email to scholarship@octavosingers.org.
SELECTION PROCESS
To introduce the student to our audience as the newest member of our Octavo family, they will be invited to perform a portion
of a piece with the Octavos at our Spring Concert 2026.
For the winner to receive the scholarship funds, a copy of the letter of acceptance and confirmation of the student’s enrollment
in a higher education vocal program will be required. If the winner’s plans change, the scholarship will be awarded to another applicant.
Direct any questions to: scholarship@octavosingers.org.
The Octavo Singers are pleased to announce our 2024 scholarship winner, Jacob Ciesinski.
Jacob is currently a senior at Niskayuna High School and plans to study music education at the University of Vermont. His goal is to share his love for music and to help the next generation be as self-expressive and individual as possible through music. Since the age of 8, Jacob has participated in community theater productions and has studied piano. He has performed in the school band, NYSSMA competition, annual high school musical productions and at many other school and community events.
Jacob is described as a versatile singer who participates in several select music ensembles at Niskayuna High including Concert Mixed Chorale, Bel Canto Voices, an a capella/madrigal group, and Studio Singers, a 17-voice jazz ensemble. Jacob played the role of Paul in last year’s annual musical, A Chorus Line (School Edition) at Niskayuna High in which, as his vocal teacher describes, he gave a riveting soliloquy that was emotional and mature beyond his years.
Congratulations to Jacob! We wish him all the best as he pursues his music career.
The Octavo Singers will be awarding a $1000 cash scholarship to a junior or graduating senior high school student who shows interest
in pursuing further voice study. (Please take note that since this scholarship is only offered in alternate years [i.e. every two years/even-numbered years], eleventh-grade students should not hesitate to apply.)
ELIGIBILITY
A high school junior or senior from one of the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Schoharie.
The student must be planning to pursue vocal music education at an advanced level, for example, a major or minor in a future college program.
The funds will be paid to the scholarship winner upon receipt of proof of enrollment in such a program at their chosen school of higher education.
APPLICATIONS must include:
- A completed application form (download here)
- A summary of the student’s performance experience
- A brief essay describing the importance of vocal music in the student’s life, and plans for pursuing this interest post high school graduation
- A letter of recommendation from the student’s music or voice teacher
The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2026, by email to scholarship@octavosingers.org.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Our selection committee will conduct a review of all applications.
- Applicants selected as finalists will be invited to prepare two vocal performance pieces (songs or arias) for audition.
- Auditions before a small jury that includes Andrew Burger, Octavos’ artistic director, will be conducted in March 2026.
- Candidates will prepare two vocal performance pieces (songs or arias) and sing them in their entirety. Candidates must supply
- The winning applicant will be notified within a week after the audition.
To introduce the student to our audience as the newest member of our Octavo family, they will be invited to perform a portion
of a piece with the Octavos at our Spring Concert 2026.
For the winner to receive the scholarship funds, a copy of the letter of acceptance and confirmation of the student’s enrollment
in a higher education vocal program will be required. If the winner’s plans change, the scholarship will be awarded to another applicant.
Direct any questions to: scholarship@octavosingers.org.