MUSIC AWARDS

Music Awards

The Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award and The Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award 

The Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award. The Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award for excellence in vocal or instrumental performance is given annually to a high school senior intending to continue his or her musical education at a school of higher learning.

The Ridgewood Choral Scholarship Fund was instituted by the Choral in 1967, and five years later, B. Franklin Reinauer endowed the fund as a memorial to his wife, Florence. The current award to the winner is $2,500.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Florence Reinauer Memorial Fund to ensure that young musicians will have the support they need to continue their musical studies. Donations are often made in the memory of a deceased loved one, to celebrate a joyous occasion, or even to honor a special event. To contribute to this award, please go to Donate.

The Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award in the amount of $1,200 was instituted during the 90th Anniversary Season (2017-2018) in honor of Marjorie Vandervoort’s 25 years of service as our Music Director. This award is intended solely for excellence in vocal performance.

In naming the award, we thought to honor our beloved director of 29 years, Marjorie Vandervoort. We hope that the Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award inspires young singers to pursue their passion for performing for many years to come.

To contribute to this award, please go to Donate.  Acknowledgments of donations to either Award will be sent, and both the donor and honoree will be listed in the latest spring concert program. The Ridgewood Choral thanks you in advance for your support of our Awards, and the young and talented musicians they support.

The 2023 Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award ($2,500) & The Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award ($1,200) Winners have been announced. Please check back in February 2024 for the next application period.

CURRENT MUSIC AWARD WINNERS

Ridgewood Choral Awards Student Scholarships

The Ridgewood Choral is pleased to announce Lucas Wang, bassoonist of Ridgewood, NJ as the winner of the 2023 Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award of $2500 for excellence in instrumental or vocal performance. The Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award in the amount of $1200 was instituted in 2018 in honor of Marjorie Vandervoort’s 25 years as Music Director. Tyler Kriney, baritone of Ringwood, NJ is this year’s winner.

The award is open to a high school senior who intends to continue his or her musical education at an institute of higher learning.  Instituted in 1967, the fund was later endowed by Franklin Reinauer as a memorial to his wife Florence.  To date the Choral has awarded more than $55,000 to encourage talented young musicians. The awards are won via live auditions with a three judge panel. This year’s judges were Lisa Bremmer, Scott Brubaker and Michael S. Caldwell. 

Mr. Wang and Mr. Kriney will perform at the Ridgewood Choral Annual Spring Concert on Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood.

2023 Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award – Lucas Wang, bassoonist of Ridgewood, NJ has been awarded the 2023 Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award.

Lucas Wang, a senior in Ridgewood High School, has been playing the bassoon since 6th grade. His musical journey began by playing piano and the occasional composing of musical scores. Through a scholarship grant during middle school, he attended and performed with the Intermediate Orchestra Symphony (ISO) at the Interlochen Arts & Music Summer Camp in Michigan. He has also been the principal bassoonist in the NJ Youth Orchestra. While in 9th grade, he qualified and played in Bergen County Band, Regional Band and All-State Band. Lucas has studied with bassoonist Lisa Alexander, and is currently studying with bassoonist Marc Goldberg through the Juilliard School Pre-College Program. Lucas participates in many of the instrumental groups offered at Ridgewood High School including, the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Tri-M Honors society, and mentoring in the District Honor Band. Lucas is also an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Finalist, and a scholar in the Governor’s School of New Jersey. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking for his family, reading, and writing.

2023 Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award – Tyler Kriney, Vocalist is this year’s winner of the Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award.

Tyler Kriney is a Senior at Hawthorne Christian Academy. He lives in Ringwood, NJ. Tyler is a baritone and will be pursuing a degree in classical voice performance this coming fall. For the past 4 years, Tyler has been studying voice/opera with Stephen Paynter from the New York Metropolitan Opera and studying with Anne Paynter, his high school music teacher, and choral director. In the last 4 years, Tyler has been a part of Servants of the King, a Christian choral group that competes and performs nationally and internationally. Tyler is a baritone section leader for Servants of the King. After college, Tyler plans to have a career in opera and perform on various stages of the world.