By Cameron Barton, 2020-2021 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award Recipient
I am incredibly proud to be the recipient of a 2020-2021 WSU Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award in Music this year. My name is Cameron Barton, and I am going to be a Senior at Washington State University in the Fall of 2021. I attended high school in Genesee, Idaho, where I have been living with my family during summers and holiday breaks. Going to school close to home was a priority which has made WSU an excellent choice. I chose to attend WSU in order to study with the music faculty I had become closely connected with during high school. I also wanted to be a member of the Honors College and obtain a degree from a school with the size, recognition, alumni networking, and academic excellence that WSU offers. I have loved my experience at WSU and my fondness and dedication to the school grows stronger each semester. I am a Piano Performance major also pursuing a minor in Music Technology. I have become increasingly engrossed in my studies and find the prospect of utilizing my knowledge of music after school incredibly exciting.
I want to express complete gratitude for being chosen as the recipient for this award. Being an out-of-state student is a sizeable financial burden for my family but receiving this scholarship makes my path towards a degree and further education in music more attainable. I will use the funds from this scholarship to support my education as I aspire to become a professional collaborative pianist, teacher, and music advocate. I strive to remain dedicated to my development as an artist and scholar in maintaining the standard of excellence that the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recognizes.
I look forward to being involved in School of Music concerts and events just as I have been in the past. As an engaged musician, I perform in chamber ensembles, jazz band, and the symphony orchestra. This previous year I held positions in MlNA, the Honors Student Advisory Council, and Allegro. As the President of the WSU Music Teachers National Association, I helped take our WSU chapter to the 2019 and 2021 National Conferences where we were accepted to give presentations. I have been elected to serve as the President of HSAC (Honors Student Advisory Council) and of the student organization Allegro which supports music advocacy on campus. I am also the Chair of the Honors College Mentor Program which provides peer interaction, leadership development, and an easier transition to college for incoming students. I hope to make a lasting impact through these many leadership positions on campus which will benefit me later in my professional life as well.
This summer I will be employed by the Classical Music Service of Northwest Public Broadcasting and am beginning an administrative internship for the College Music Society. I foresee myself going on to a graduate program after WSU with the intent of becoming a music educator and/or administrator at the university level. I look forward to the opportunities that await me during my future at WSU that will propel me into a successful career.
