Hot Springs Flute Ensemble's
Julian Herring Youth Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Julian Herring, Conductor Emeritus of The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble from 2001 to 2009. Mr. Herring devoted 35 years of his life to educating young musicians in the public schools in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and in Florida. Upon his retirement, he graciously shared his educational and conducting talents with the members of the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble, significantly improving the players' musical skills. His patience and diligence in working with flutists of varying skill levels raised the group's performance. His love of music motivated the group to play beyond what they thought they were capable of. He was an outstanding role model of excellence in musicianship.
Scholarship applicants should demonstrate excellence in musicianship, a desire to pursue advanced training in a flute ensemble setting, and diligence in their practice habits. Applicants may be recommended by their public school music educator, private instructor, or parent or guardian. A written letter of recommendation is required. If the student studies flute privately, the letter of recommendation must be from the flute instructor. The letter may be in the form of an email. The written letter of recommendation should address all applicable areas below:
The applicant should meet five or more of the following criteria, which will be demonstrated during a live audition at a date and time agreed upon by the student, family, and HSFE Scholarship Chair.
Applicants may apply at any time during the year. If the applicant is successful in the audition, he or she will be invited to join the ensemble for the next concert-preparation rehearsal series.
1. Ability to play the flute at a late Elementary Level or above
Students in grades 6-9:
Ability to play the following two octave Major Scales: D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db; and two octave Minor Scales: E, A, D, G, C
2. Students in grades 10-12: Ability to play all Major and Minor Scales through 7 sharps and 7 flats key signatures.
3. Ability to play the Chromatic Scale two octaves from Low C, grades 6-9; three octaves from Low C to C 4 for grades 10-12
4. Ability to sight-read music appropriate for grade level.
5. Ability to play required audition pieces.
6. Enthusiasm for mastering the flute and continued advancement in their studies.
7. Diligence in practice habits with regular attendance at private lessons, if taken.
8. Expressed interest in playing in a flute ensemble.
9. Achievement of participation in All-Region band if eligible to do so.
10. Have supportive parents or guardians willing to transport the student to rehearsals and concerts.
11. Plans to continue public or private school music program, along with playing in the flute ensemble.
- The above criteria will be difficult to meet if the applicant has not undertaken one or more years of private study of the flute.
- The scholarship provides tuition and music for the Fall & Spring Seasons of the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble.
- The scholarship winner is required to study privately with a flute instructor and attend regular weekly lessons. The instructor will make a regular progress report to the HSFE Board of Directors on the student's progress.
- This scholarship does not cover the cost of private instruction.
- Reapplication for the scholarship will be annually. Students who successfully achieve membership in their respective All-Region Band will automatically be qualified for renewed membership without a further audition.
Requirements of ensemble scholarship recipients:
1. Regular attendance at all ensemble rehearsals and concerts, unless there is a school musical conflict. At this time, the group meets on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:45 PM, per the printed schedule. If attendance is insufficient to properly learn the programmed music, the student may be asked not to play in the concert. Continued frequent absences will put the student at risk of losing the scholarship.
2. Assist other members in setting up and breaking down chairs for rehearsals and concerts.
3. Graciously receive direction from the assigned mentor and conductor.
4. Appropriate demeanor and dress during ensemble practices and concerts.
5. If a conflict on attendance arises, timely notification must be given to the Executive Director or the Assistant Executive Director. (Refer to printed schedule for contact information.)
6. Regular attendance and progress at private lessons, verified by the instructor to HSFE.
7. Annually audition for the All-Region Band clinic, if eligible.
8. Regular practice of ensemble music individually and with the instructor.
9. Maintenance of their flute in excellent playing condition.
10. Organization of music appropriately in the required ensemble folder.
11. Have a sturdy portable music stand, which is brought to each rehearsal and concert (along with a flute)
12. Be able to receive regular email communications for HSFE.
Audition Format:
Required Audition pieces are the current selections for All-Region Band from the following:
Students in grades 6-9: Rubank Advanced I Flute Method
Students in grades 10-12: Rubank (Voxman) Selected Studies
Scales will be requested in random order during the audition.
Sightreading will be required.
A panel of judges will interview and score all applicants.
Students will be notified of the audition outcome immediately after the audition, once all judges have finalized their scoring and reported it to the Scholarship Chairman.
Questions? Contact Kathy Stevens, Executive Director, HSFE at HotSpringsFluteEnsemble@gmail.com
HSFE BOARD APPROVED 04/18/2009
Updated 04/03/2026 ks