Celebrating 70 Years!

Since 1979, annually, in May, the New Britain Symphony Orchestra holds auditions for the Helen Kilduff-Elizabeth Elia Scholarship of one thousand dollars ($1,000), which is awarded to a high school senior in New Britain, Berlin, or Plainville who has been accepted by an institution of higher learning with a major in music.

The purpose of the scholarship award is to encourage a talented student who has been accepted by an institution of higher learning to major in music.

2019 Helen Kilduff-Elizabeth Elia Music Scholarship Recipient

Meghan Fox
2019 Scholarship Recipient
Performing in Berlin High School’s cabaret

We are delighted to announce our 2019 Scholarship recipient – Meghan Fox – for the category of Vocalist.

A 2019 graduate of Berlin High School, Meghan Fox will be attending Muhlenberg College where she will be studying musical theater.

In high school she was actively involved in the choral ensembles and musical theater. She played the role of “Paulette” in Berlin High School’s production of “Legally Blonde, The Musical!” to rave reviews. In addition, she studied voice and musical theater at The University of Hartford’s Hartt Community Division.

See Past NBSO Scholarship Recipients

2020 Applicant Requirements

  • Display outstanding proficiency on an orchestral instrument or with voice.
  • Be a graduating high school senior from the New Britain, Berlin, or Plainville schools.
  • Intend to pursue a college degree with a concentration in music performance, education or voice.
  • Complete an on-line application form and upload two (2) letters of recommendation with a copy of a letter-of-acceptance by a college.
  • Audition before a panel of judges (selected by the NBSO) two classical compositions of the applicant’s choice with a maximum of 10 minutes.

Materials must be received by Friday, May 8, 2020.

Applicant Auditions

South Church
90 Main Street
New Britain, CT

  • Applicants must perform two classical compositions of their choice.
  • Maximum time allowed for each audition will be ten minutes.
  • Judges will consider musicianship, technique, tone, and interpretation.

Auditions held before a panel of judges May 19, 2020 beginning at 4:00PM. Participants must provide their own accompanist when needed.

2020 Helen Kilduff-Elizabeth Elia Music Scholarship Application

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Please note: If your performance requires an accompanist, you must provide one.
  • Drop files here or
    Please upload two (2) letters of recommendation with a copy of a letter-of-acceptance by a college. You can upload individual PDF files or a ZIP file.