EDUCATION
Abigail Varnadoe, a senior at the Jones County High School, recently won a scholarship to purchase a special clarinet to use during her college years. The young band student said she’s always lived in Jones County, living across the high school at one point, but has since moved to a different location in the county. She said she still lives pretty close to the Jones County High School.
“Jones County is very supportive, and I think we probably have one of the most supportive counties around,” she said. “When we would have competitions, teachers would tell me congratulations a lot, and I’d get text messages from people saying the same thing. Everyone wants you to do well here and see you do your best.”
Varnadoe said she was excited to get the Marc Whitten Memorial Music Scholarship, knowing it will help her in college and in her future career.
“The scholarship was with the Jazz Association of Macon, and you had to write a letter about how the scholarship would help you in your musical career. I applied for the Marc Whitten Memorial Music Scholarship. It’s from a couple who had a son who passed away a few years ago, so they do the scholarship in memory of him,” the senior said.
She said she wrote in her letter about how she wants to be a music educator and music performer. She stated she wanted to buy a specific clarinet, a performance clarinet. She said the clarinet has a good tone and it will be helpful.
“I applied at the end of March, then I got a call in June that I had been selected for the scholarship. I got to meet the Whitten’s, and they showed us their house,” Varnadoe said. “I got to see their son’s artwork. He played guitar. I played my clarinet for them, and they gave me the check, so I could buy my clarinet.”
The senior said the clarinet was pretty expensive, and she went to Atlanta to pick it out. The clarinets are flown in from Paris. She said music is important for her, because it gets her through the day. The band would help her get through things.
“I’ve been playing music since the sixth grade. I dabbled with a few other instruments, but I stuck to the clarinet. In college I’ll have to learn other instruments. I think it’ll be a challenge, but I’ll work hard towards it,” the senior said.
The band student said she’s been looking at several college’s, such as the University of Georgia, Florida State University and the University of South Carolina for her music career. She said after college she wants to be a middle school band director, because she can focus on smaller groups of students and still play the clarinet.
Varnadoe said her favorite thing about music is being able to share it with others and the impact it can have on others. She said she feels music can help them get through things. She’s always enjoyed music, and she’s glad things have turned out like they have for her with music.
“I’m a little nervous, because of all the changes coming up and applying to so many different places,” Varnadoe said. “I’m also really excited, since I can focus more on band as a senior and have fun. This is my last year to try out for auditions, and it’s going to be bittersweet.”
Sue Whitten (l-r), Rick Whitten, Abigail Varnadoe, Lori Varnadoe, Erik Varnadoe and Bird (the music critic) after Abigail receives her scholarship.
CONTRIBUTED
