Foothills Music Club (FMC) scholarship applications are now available for students studying vocal and/or instrumental music currently in grades ninth through 12th in Polk and Rutherford counties and Landrum, S.C.

Application forms and scholarship information have been given to school and private music teachers for prospective scholarship applicants. These forms may also be requested by e-mail to ejenkins@windstream.net or call Elaine Jenkins, FMC scholarship chair, at 828-894-6493.

Application forms must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 18, and mailed to Foothills Music Club, c/o Elaine Jenkins, 61 Prince Cemetery Lane, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

Auditions for scholarships will be held Friday afternoon, March 4, and Saturday morning, March 5, in the choir room of the Tryon Presbyterian Church located at 430 Harmon Field Road in Tryon. Three award winners will be selected.

For the purpose of encouraging young musicians to continue developing their skills, the Foothills Music Club offers scholarships each year to music students who, after a minimum of three years of study, demonstrate promise and wish to pursue their interest and talent. This financial support can be applied to the cost of lessons, purchase of music or repair/purchase of instruments.

In 2010, the FMC awarded over $2,000 in scholarships. This support for area student musical talent has been on-going since the beginning of the FMC in 1988. To date, a total of more than $30,000 has been awarded to young musicians in the area.

Members of the Foothills Music Club, an affiliate of the Tryon Fine Arts Center, are as dedicated to this community involvement as they are to sustaining their own musical talents, whether vocal or instrumental, through performance. Monthly meetings of mini-recitals and programs are held in members’ homes. Each FMC member is expected to perform at least once during the scheduled meeting year.

This may include solo and/or ensemble presentations usually focused on certain themes. An annual member/organist organ concert performed at one of the area churches is open to the public.