The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Matte receives music scholarship
ONEIDA » The Oneida Area Civic Chorale has awarded its 2018 Senior Scholarship to Rebecca Matte of Rome.
Matte, a senior student at Rome Free Academy, will receive $500 toward her future study of music. The chorale offers the scholarship to area high school seniors who have displayed musical talent in school and community performances and plan to engage in musical study beyond high school, either as music majors or in extracurricular areas.
Matte, a vocalist and flutist, has taken advantage of all available music opportunities throughout her school years in Rome, serving key roles and leadership positions in most. She has sung in
the RFA Mixed Choir, Concert Choir, Select Choir, Fermata Nowhere A Cappella Choir, and the Rhapsody Show Choir. She has played the flute and piccolo in the RFAMarching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. Matte has played lead and featured roles in RFA musicals, and has participated in All-County, All-State and Conference groups. As a senior, Matte was Principal Soprano in the Area AllState Chorus, a soloist at Conference All State Mixed Chorus, and an alternate for the All National Mixed Chorus. She has studied voice with Brittany Lynch and Michele MadoniaRushford.
In addition to hermusic activities at RFA, Matte is currently the president of the French Club, a member of the National Honor Society, and a 2017 recipient of the RFA Leadership Award.
Outside the school setting, Matte has shared her talent with the community by performing the National Anthem for Wreaths Across America, Roman Runners Honor America Days, the Alzheimer’s Association walk at SUNY Poly, and the swearing in ceremony for Rome City Councilors. She also volunteers at Jervis Public Library, Dollars for Scholars, and Special Olympics. In the summer of 2017, Matte took part in a European tour with American Music Abroad, performing with both the Wind Ensemble and the Choir. The students toured and performed concerts in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
Matte intends to continue hermusic education at the Crane School of Music at SUNYPotsdam, majoring in Music Performance andMusic Education. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree, and then spend her life as a music educator. Matte said, “I want to have the same impact on young musicians that my wonderful teachers have had onme. I want to inspire students to work hard and chase their dreams.”
Brittany Lynch, Matte’s middle school and private vocal instructor, said, “Rebecca has always excelled musically and has worked extremely hard to remain at the top of her class. She is a responsible and passionate young lady, and frequently volunteers her time and talent to the Rome community.”