International Youth Scholarship Program
The WASBE International Scholarship Program, initiated by Trevor Ford of Norway when he was President, was established to assist students to study at a music camp in a country other than their own. This youth cultural exchange would not only add to the student’s musical development but would also enable participating students to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of each other through their mutual interest in music.
The scholarships include the cost of meals, lodging and tuition during the student’s stay at the camp. Each student is responsible for the cost of his or her own transportation to the music camp.
Since 1982, almost 150 students from seventeen countries have participated in the International Scholarship Program. These students came from the countries of Brazil, Canada, Republic of China, England, Finland, France, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela and the United States. Music camps throughout the eight nations of Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States have provided the scholarships.
The response to the scholarship program by both the students and the music camps has been very positive. The students felt that they gained so much both musically and socially and the music camps were very impressed with the quality of the students and their contribution to their summer camp activities.
The continued success of the scholarship program can be assured with the support of our WASBE members in recommending students from their country for the scholarships and encouraging music camps in their country to provide scholarships. Our short-range goal is to expand the number of music camps providing scholarships and our long-range goal is to have students participating in this project from every country.
©2007 WASBE