Chester J. Petranek Award and College Scholarship

Chester J. Petranek and the Ruth A. Albight
College Scholarship

Established in 1996, the Chester J. Petranek College Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior with outstanding talent on an orchestral instrument, with the exception of piano. The awardees must have participated in MCYO for at least two consecutive years and must be intending to pursue a career in music. Winners are selected based on a variety of criteria including academic performance, financial need, an audition before a committee, and a personal interview. The Ruth Albright scholarship was established in 2007 with similar guidelines as the Chester Petranek Scholarship, but will be limited to a string player.

2006-07 Recipients

Ron Shalom - String Bass, Ruth Albright Recipient, $2500
Youn Lee- Oboe, Chester J. Petranek Recipient, $2500

The Andreas and Margaret Makris College Scholarship

In September 2006, Mrs. Margaret Makris presented MCYO with a $50,000 endowment in memory of her late husband Andreas Makris, a renowned violinist and composer. Mr. Makris had composed a work entitled “Antithesis” for MCYO in 1996, on the occasion of MCYO’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

In the Spring of 2007, MCYO established the Andreas and Margaret Makris College Scholarship. The terms of this scholarship specify that it be presented to:

"A senior who has displayed loyalty and dedication through participation in the MCYO program: a musician who, from an early age, was nurtured by MCYO, who developed his or her talents and advanced through the MCYO program; a musician who has excelled and who desires to pursue music in college."


2007 Recipient
Laura London - Cello

Chester J. Petranek Award

In 1986, the MCYO Board of Directors initiated the Chester J. Petranek award as a tribute to the founder of MCYO and in celebration of 40 years of young talented students creating music. This award is presented each year to an individual or group for:

"Outstanding Community Service in enrichment of the musical life of the Washington metropolitan area."