THEODORE KUCHAR SCHOLARSHIP

Do Young Park is pictured on the Strand (top) with Townsville-Gurambilbarra Mayor, Cr Jenny Hill (bottom)

He’s only 15 years old, but already young Townsville-Gurambilbarra violinist Do Young Park from The Cathedral School dreams of performing at Carnegie Hall, and he’s now well on the way after being awarded the prestigious Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s 2023 Theodore Kuchar Scholarship for Excellence in Music.

The Scholarship awards a Year Ten student with $4,000, to be used towards instrumental tuition and/or professional development, and is $2,000 per year for two years, paid during Years Eleven and Twelve.

Initiated in honour of Theodore Kuchar, founding Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, the Scholarship aims to support young emerging artists in the local community by increasing opportunities for creative growth and skill development at an advanced level.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill,  Australian Festival of Chamber Music Executive Director Ricardo Peach and Do Young’s music teacher Christine Pulvirenti celebrated the news with Do Young at The Strand.

Cr Hill said Council was proud to be partnering with the Australian Festival of Chamber Music to bring world-class performances to Townsville audiences.

“Townsville City Council is incredibly proud to be supporting the next generation of artists from Townsville through initiatives like the Theodore Kuchar Scholarship,” Cr Hill said.

“Do Young Park is an extraordinarily talented musician and I’m sure we’ll see him go on to perform on some of the world’s biggest stages. Well done Do Young for this remarkable achievement.”

Do Young has already played the violin for 10 years, after picking up his brother’s, and being encouraged by his parents to study, practice and perform.

“I love it,” said the young musician. “I’d love to one day play at Carnegie Hall in New York; it’s where’s all the famous violinists perform.”

He said the musician he most admired was none other than fellow Queenslander, the global superstar violinist Ray Chen! “His playing is incredible. I’ve watched him on YouTube for hours and hours, and would love to one day emulate his playing, and how he plays certain passages. His personality and the way he is on social media is all amazing.”

He said the Scholarship was a great opportunity to further his tuition, but to also learn other instruments! “I’ve been picking up different instruments. I am playing the Bassoon (because no-one was playing one at school), and want to play more, I love the feeling of a new instrument to learn. I am also learning the guitar.”

After he finishes as The Cathedral School, Do is looking to further study music, at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music of Griffith University. AFCM Executive Director Ricardo Peach commented, “The Theodore Kuchar Scholarship is a very important part of the AFCM’s overall education and capacity development program.”

“Through this scholarship, and initiatives such as the AFCM International Masterclasses and AFCM Outreach programs, we are able to support young and emerging musicians and help them develop career pathways. We are very grateful for Townsville City Council’s continued support of this important initiative.”

Congratulations and bravo to Do Young, and here’s to performing at Carnegie Hall, all of Townsville-Gurambilbarra will be listening!

2022 Winner, Sebastian Young-Florence

Councillor Liam Mooney and Australian Festival of Chamber Music Executive Director Ricardo Peach visited Pimlico State High School recently to congratulate tuba player Sebastian Young-Florence. Councillor Mooney said council could not be prouder to be part of the scholarship.

“Today we are awarding a scholarship to a year 11 student in our region with $2,000 for two years, so a total of $4,000, and I’m very proud as a past Pimlico that this has been awarded to Sebastian Young -Florence a tuba player from Pimlico High. Townsville City Council have been partnering with the Australian Festival of Chamber of Music since the beginning and we are very proud to have funded this again,” said Cr Mooney.

2022 Scholarship Winner Sebastian Young-Florence, was thrilled to win and highlighted how it will help his career.

“It great to win, I’ve been playing the tuba for seven years now and really like it.  I practice for 45-minuted every day. I’m planning on using the fund to attend a few youth music camps next year, including one in January with the Queensland Band Association,” said Young-Florence.

Stay tuned for details of the 2023 Theodore Kuchar Scholarship - Applications open October 2023.

2021 Winner, Aimee Segal

In November 2021, Townsville Grammar School student Aimee Segal was announced as the 2021 Winner of the Theodor Kuchar Scholarship for Excellence in Music.

“I am incredibly grateful that this scholarship will help further my studies in music with the hope of one day becoming a professional musician.

“These funds will give me the opportunity to attend some specialist woodwind and bassoon courses in Brisbane, as well as allowing me to have some face-to-face lessons with my tutor. These funds will contribute to the maintenance of my instrument as well,” said Aimee.

Congratulations Aimee. We are looking forward to seeing where this opportunity takes you.