On May 18, 2024, we hosted the 46th annual Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Competition at Tagney Jones Hall in the Seattle Opera House. We are grateful to the Seattle Opera, and especially Sara Litchfield, the Associate Director of Youth Learning Programs which includes Teen Vocal Studio, for partnering with us to provide the wonderful space for this year’s concert. Ten local high school students competed for the chance to win one of three vocal coaching scholarships.
We were pleased to be able to increase the amount of the scholarships this year. This year’s winner, Lydia Mushkatina, is heading to The Juilliard School to continue her training and will receive $3,000 in vocal coaching. The two runners up, Trinav Banerjee and Autumn Chociej, will each receive $1,500 toward their continued vocal training.
By early March, we send application details to high school choir directors and private coaches in the Greater Seattle area, including the Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio. The event typically occurs in May of each year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this event, please send us a message using our contact form here.
2024 winner Lydia Mushkatina2024 runner up Autumn Chociej2024 runner up Trinav Banerjee2024 Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Competition Contestants from left to right: Jay Houseworth-Barba (Bainbridge High School), Namah Daga (Newport High School), Carrie (Jiayu) Huang (The Northwest School), Leila Bauer (South Kitsap High School), Trinav Banerjee (Jackson High School), Woods Jarol (Edmonds Woodway High School), Lydia Mushkatina (Sammamish High School), Haley Montelaro (Newport High School), David Thomas (Edmonds Woodway High School) and Autumn Chociej (Auburn High School)
History of this scholarship program:
Carl Pitzer was a Seattle School District teacher who taught for many years at Lincoln High School. He was also a University District Kiwanis member, a fine musician and generous man who mentored students throughout his years in many ways. One of the students he mentored was Norm Weeks.
Norm Weeks was also a University District Kiwanis member who taught music in the Seattle School District for 30 years, and was an internationally known teacher of the Kodaly method. Mr. Weeks had the same generous attitude as Mr. Pitzer when he met talented students who could not afford lessons, and he started the annual vocal competition in 1979 to honor his mentor and to help fund vocal coaching for talented young artists. Upon his death in 2010, the event was renamed Pitzer/Weeks in his honor.
One of the high school students Mr. Weeks mentored and provided with free piano lessons was University District Kiwanis member Susan Bardsley, who has been involved with the event since the 1990s, first as an event judge and later taking over for Mr. Weeks as event chair.
Upcoming Events
February 1: Kiwanis International Circle K and Key Club scholarship applications due
February 1: PNW Kiwanis Key Club scholarship applications due
February 7-9: PNW District Kiwanis & PNW Circle K Mid-Winter Summit in Hood River, OR
February 11: General Membership Meeting on Zoom from Noon – 1:00
February 19: Board Meeting on Zoom from 1:30 – 2:30
February 25: Kiwanis International Day of Giving
March 11: General Membership Meeting (IN PERSON) at Phinney Ridge Homestreet Bank from 11:00 - 12:00 (please note time change for this meeting)
March 19: Board Meeting on Zoom from 1:30 – 2:30
April 8: General Membership Meeting on Zoom from Noon – 1:00
April 16: Board Meeting on Zoom from 1:30 – 2:30
May 10: Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Scholarship Competition at Seattle Opera. More details to come!
May 12: Bernard/Orr Circle K scholarship applications due
May 13: General Membership Meeting on Zoom from Noon – 1:00
Pitzer/Weeks Scholarship
On May 18, 2024, we hosted the 46th annual Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Competition at Tagney Jones Hall in the Seattle Opera House. We are grateful to the Seattle Opera, and especially Sara Litchfield, the Associate Director of Youth Learning Programs which includes Teen Vocal Studio, for partnering with us to provide the wonderful space for this year’s concert. Ten local high school students competed for the chance to win one of three vocal coaching scholarships.
We were pleased to be able to increase the amount of the scholarships this year. This year’s winner, Lydia Mushkatina, is heading to The Juilliard School to continue her training and will receive $3,000 in vocal coaching. The two runners up, Trinav Banerjee and Autumn Chociej, will each receive $1,500 toward their continued vocal training.
By early March, we send application details to high school choir directors and private coaches in the Greater Seattle area, including the Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio. The event typically occurs in May of each year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this event, please send us a message using our contact form here.
History of this scholarship program:
Carl Pitzer was a Seattle School District teacher who taught for many years at Lincoln High School. He was also a University District Kiwanis member, a fine musician and generous man who mentored students throughout his years in many ways. One of the students he mentored was Norm Weeks.
Norm Weeks was also a University District Kiwanis member who taught music in the Seattle School District for 30 years, and was an internationally known teacher of the Kodaly method. Mr. Weeks had the same generous attitude as Mr. Pitzer when he met talented students who could not afford lessons, and he started the annual vocal competition in 1979 to honor his mentor and to help fund vocal coaching for talented young artists. Upon his death in 2010, the event was renamed Pitzer/Weeks in his honor.
One of the high school students Mr. Weeks mentored and provided with free piano lessons was University District Kiwanis member Susan Bardsley, who has been involved with the event since the 1990s, first as an event judge and later taking over for Mr. Weeks as event chair.
Upcoming Events