Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarship
Talented incoming singers to Lehigh of any major are eligible to apply for the Cutler- Sametz Choral Arts Scholarship program, which totals $10,000-$20,000 over four years and voice lessons. This four-year scholarships named in honor of Robert B. Cutler, director of the Lehigh Glee Club from 1954-1979, and Steven P. Sametz, Director of Lehigh Choral Arts from 1979 to 2024. This is a merit-based scholarship, including a stipend and voice lessons. Choral Arts Scholars sing in University Choir during their time at Lehigh. Choral Arts Scholars also participate in the Glee Club, Dolce, or the Choral Union for at least four semesters.
There is a two-step audition process for those interested in Lehigh’s Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarship program.
1. The initial application is due January 17. This includes:
a) A recording of two solo classical works (art song, aria, chanson or Lied); it is preferable that one of these be in a language other than English
b) A letter of recommendation from a vocal or choral teacher
2. Based on the initial application, finalists will be invited to come to Lehigh’s campus for an interview with Directors Frook Gallo and Olson. This will include singing (it may be the pieces sent in part 1), and sight-reading.
In cases where travel would be a hardship, interviews via Zoom are possible. The personal interview is preferred when possible.
The application for the Cutler-Sametz Choral Scholarship is in addition to the normal application for acceptance to Lehigh. Awards of scholarships are included in the applicant’s letter of acceptance in April.
For a complete description of the application process and the required forms, please visit the Merit Scholarships Webpage.
We’d like to hear from you! To get in contact with a member of Lehigh Choral Arts, please fill out this form.
For assistance, please contact Associate Director Liz Olson at the following email: leo224@lehigh.edu
Download our Scholarship Brochure here (some information on it may be out of date, refer to this page for the correct information).
The Cutler-Sametz Choral Scholarship is renewed each year, provided students maintain at least a 2.8 average at Lehigh University.
Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarship Recipients
1998 Christopher Delp Christopher Frisco Meredith Pinckney Elizabeth Ruch Elizabeth Stock 1999 Matthew Ilardi 2000 Raina Savitsky-Schankel Gelsey Bell David Farrell | 2001 Genevieve Jones Lori Desai Lauren Van Hoesen-Salvo Elizabeth Luber Melissa Alexander 2002 Timothy White 2003 Brian Conover Amanda Cook Kathleen Rooth | 2004 Emily O’Koren 2005 Stephanie Gardner Nathaniel Medford Jeffrey Zubernis 2006 Caitlin Katrinic Brown 2008 Jena Viviano 2010 Ryan Butler Alex Chen |
2011 Dongyun Shin Richard Michi Amanda Curry 2012 Elijah Ohrt 2013 Sara D’Iorio Sarah Dudney 2014 Claudia Kolanovic | 2015 Nadine Clopton Brian Logsdon 2016 Jillian Cowles Casey Durso Amanda McHale 2017 Owen Davies 2018 Heather Keyser 2019 Josh Venick |
Teufel Family Vocal Arts Scholarships
Supported by a generous gift by Anne and Bob Teufel ’59, these scholarships are offered to students to defray costs of Lehigh's one-on-one voice lessons. Open to undergraduate members of the University Choir only. No application process is necessary.
Shabaker Family Vocal Arts Scholarships
Supported by a generous gift from Robert H. and Sarah H. Shabaker Family Endowment Fund. This is a merit-based award to a member of the Glee Club on an annual basis. No separate application is needed.