Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund for RSYO
The Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund was created in 2015 by Gayle and Ellwyn Englof in honor and memory of Gayle’s grandfather, Isadore Olson. Gayle says of her grandfather, “Isadore Olson emigrated to Rockford from a small island off the coast of Sweden in the early 1900s. He was a musician, played the fiddle (or violin), sang in his church choir, and performed with the Sveas Soner Singing Society of Rockford most of his adult life.”
This scholarship fund will initially be awarded to one student each year who exhibits the following criteria, in keeping with the spirit of Isadore Olson:
A passion for music and the arts
A love of performance and the desire to create music as part of an ensemble
The ability to inspire and lead other musicians
This scholarship will cover the cost of one year’s tuition for a student participating in the RSYO. A student who has participated in RSYO for one full year and is in good standing is eligible* to apply. A member is deemed to be in “good standing” if the following criteria are met:
Attends rehearsals regularly
Displays a courteous attitude
Exhibits a cooperative spirit
Handles RSYO music and materials in a responsible way
To Apply
Applications will be accepted each year from May 1 – September 15 for the following RSYO Season, with the award recipient to be notified by October 15 (or the nearest business day).
To apply, students must complete an application that includes a brief essay on why they believe they embody the ideals of the Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund and how this scholarship would assist them in achieving their musical goals. Each applicant must also submit a teacher recommendation with their application. The teacher is asked to rate the student on a scale of 1 to 4 on each of the scholarship criteria.
After submitting applications, a panel of up to 5 people that includes the RSYO Conductor, RSO Education and Community Engagement Director, and scholarship donors/community members will read all applications. Top candidates will be selected and interviewed by the panel before a final decision is made.
The winner of the Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund may be asked to play at public events to highlight the award and serve the RSYO, in keeping with the ideals of the scholarship fund.
*The only exception is a student who is receiving tuition remittance as a member of the Sterling String Quartet.
Materials should be submitted either electronically or by mail to:
Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Riverfront Museum Park
711 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103
info@rockfordsymphony.com
Past winners
2024-25 Callum Babler, Trumpet
2023-24 Max Wang, Timpani
2022-23 Kathryn Wolfgram, Horn
2021-22 Angelina Redisi, Horn
2020-21 No winner due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2019-20 Sarah Calgaro, Viola
2018-19 Ava Peterson, Harp
2017-18 Miranda Johnon, Horn
2016-17 Ethan Branch, Horn