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The Robinson Award

The Robinson Award honors a young musician, between 13 and 18 years of age, who is an accomplished musician and whose exceptional character, musicianship and community service reflect the values cherished and embodied by David and Louise Robinson. The applicant should demonstrate a high level of commitment to his or her school music program and/or the Skaneateles Festival.

Applications from throughout the Central New York region are considered, including Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Tompkins, Madison and Cortland counties. The annual presentation of the award is made at a Festival concert each season and is accompanied by a $1,500 award. The recipient may also be invited to perform at a Skaneateles Festival event.

If you'd like to apply for the 2009 Robinson Award, please click here, call 315/685-7418 or e-mail us at music@skanfest.org for more information.

The 2010 Robinson Award Winner!

Alicia Friedrichs graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in June 2010. During her four years at FM, she participated in Chamber Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Choir. She has also been a member of the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra for the last four years, having been named concertmaster for the 2009 1st cycle. In 2008 and 2009, she participated in the Conference All-State String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra 1st violin sections, respectively. Last summer, Alicia attended the New York State Summer School for the Arts School of Orchestral Studies as a 2009 F. Ludwig Diehn Scholarship recipient. In 2010, Alicia was the recipient of the Bruce McCormick Music Scholarship and the Syracuse Symphony Association Sally Whittle Scholarship. Alicia is a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has studied with Carol Sasson, a member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and with Nancy Fennessy. This fall, Alicia will pursue a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in violin performance at the Eastman School of Music.

Previous Winners

2009: Nick Hrynyk, piano, Auburn High School
2008: Elizabeth Sutphen, soprano, Manlius Pebble Hill
2007: Nina Elhassan, clarinet, West Genesee High School
2006: Laura Britton, oboe, Westhill High School
2005: Owen Kelley, violin, Fayetteville Manlius High School
2004: Matthew Pikarsky, piano, home-schooled
2003: Stephanie Cambra, flute, Liverpool High School
2002: Adam Gay, piano, Skaneateles High School

What is the Robinson Award?

The Robinson Award is an annual scholarship prize awarded to a young musician who exemplifies the values cherished and embodied by David and Louise Robinson, Festival co-founders. For over twenty-five years, David and Louise have opened their hearts and their home to musicians, their families, and the audiences who come to hear them perform. Their lakeside estate, Brook Farm, has been a gathering place and rehearsal space for musicians, and continues to be the performance venue for the Festival's outdoor Saturday evening concerts.

The Skaneateles Festival created The Robinson Award in 2002 to honor David and Louise for their many years of tireless devotion to the Festival and its ideals. The award is given each year to a young musician whose character, musicianship, and community service reflect the values of David and Louise Robinson -- enthusiasm and dedication to music of high quality.