Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of the scholarship is to nurture and encourage young singers to aspire for excellence and to further their musical education by seeking expertise in the vocal field to enhance future opportunities.

Conditions of Entry

You must read and understand the conditions of entry before submitting your entry form. To be eligible for the Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship you must be:

• A solo performer in the current Limestone Coast Choral and Vocal Showcase
• Entered into a minimum of four contrasting sections of Showcase demonstrating an understanding of a range of musical styles
• Aged between 16 and 25 years of age in accordance with the Limestone Coast Choral and Vocal Rules and Conditions of Entry.
• Be a resident and reside in the Limestone Coast region or surrounds for not less than 2 years
• The Committee reserve the right not to award the Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship if, in the opinion of the Adjudicator of the Showcase, the standard of performance does not warrant such an award.
• At all stages of the Scholarship and the Showcase, the decision of the adjudicator and the Committee is final.
• If selected as the winner of the Scholarship the applicant agrees, if requested, to perform without fee at a concert in the Limestone Coast at a place and time to be agreed.
• No Adjudicator will judge the performance of any participant to whom he or she has given regular individual lessons during the preceding 12 months.
• The Committee of the Showcase reserve the right to refuse entry to any applicant who may have or who may become involved in a conflict of interest.
• Committee means and includes the Committee for the time being of the Showcase or any person authorised by the Committee to undertake, supervise or administer the Showcase, and where the context requires, includes the Adjudicator.
• The Committee may modify or amend the Conditions of Entry from time to time as they consider necessary.
• If you have previously won the Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship, you may not apply.

Scholarship money may be used for projects such as:

• Attendance at auditions
• Attendance at workshops
• Tuition from another teacher, i.e. Adjudicator, or someone with whom the Committee could negotiate
• To make a CD
• To obtain resources
• Or, other relevant opportunities to be approved by the Committee

The winner of the award will be required to submit a written proposal to the committee who will then have the right to decide if the money is being used for the correct purpose.

Money to be used or committed for use within 12 months of receiving the award. The scholarship winner receives up to $1500 towards tuition fees for one year or an approved project, paid on receipt of a satisfactory written report from their singing teacher.

For further information regarding the scholarship please conact the chowcase secretary. The official entry form and closing date along with interview details will be forwarded to you with the notification of your performance times

Helen Schultz

Helen Schultz was a well known and highly esteemed lady who resided in the town of Naracoorte in the Upper South East of South Australia. Helen was a very community minded person and was involved in a variety of organisations throughout the district...

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Nineteen year old Rachel Bronca who has been a regular performer in Showcase since its inception in 2004 was the winner of the inaugural Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship.

Rachel began singing and dancing at the age of eight under the expert tuition of Pamela Walker OAM and Maxine Lockwood. She says performing is something he could not live without and that there is no logical reason to do anything else but performing.

As Rachel found performing options in Mount Gambier were limited she began travelling to Adelaide as a young teenager. Sadly time and travelling costs involved eventually took their toll on Rachel and her family and so this was no longer on option. However, Rachel said she not only developed her craft to prepare for further study and stage work but also found music therapeutic. Rachel loves playing the piano for pleasure, self accompaniment to her singing and composing music to compliment the song lyrics she writes.

Last year Rachel played a key role in the Honk Production of the musical adaptation of the classic Ugly Duckling Story which was staged at Adelaide’s State Opera House. This performance allowed Rachel to gain professional experience which Rachel describes as being ’fantastic.’ Another highlight of Rachel’s career was performing on the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre stage during the 2008 Mayoral Gala Performance.

To be awarded the Helen Schultz Memorial Scholarship, Rachel was required to make a formal written application, appear an independent interview panel before performing a minimum of four different styles of music to the Showcase ’09 Adjudicator who made the final decision on the winner of the award.

Rachel was delighted to win the scholarship. Over the years Helen had shown a keen interest in Rachel as he developed her skills as a singer/performer.

The award has enabled Rachel to purchase a keyboard and other resources as he takes up her study in Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy.