Beaver Valley Choral Society awards the 2023 Philip H. Inman Excellence in Choral Conducting Arts Scholarship to Grove City College student, Tristan Donica, of Meyersdale, Somerset County. The award ceremony takes place on Sunday, March 26 at 4pm during the Choral Society performance of “God So Loved the World” at Our Lady of the Valley Saints Peter & Paul Parish, 200 Third Street, Beaver.
Tristan, son of Travis and Victoria Donica, is a junior Music Education major with concentration in vocal studies at Grove City. He is a 2020 graduate of Meyersdale Area High School. In addition to his vocal studies Tristan is proficient playing the saxophone and tuba.
Tristan’s interest in music began when he first performed in high school musicals and leading worship at his home church, Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church. He fell in love with choral music while singing in the honors choir festivals sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
At Grove City College Tristan is featured vocalist with the Jazz Ensemble and was baritone soloist in Faure’s Requiem Mass during the joint performance of the Concert and Touring Choirs. Tristan also sings with the College Chamber Singers and is a musician with the College Marching and Concert Bands, Orchestra and Sax Quintet. Tristan frequently performs at various Grove City recitals and events.
Tristan furthers his studies as featured vocalist with the Mercer Community Band; as a student assistant for the Pittsburgh Youth Choir; volunteer youth leader at Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church; and by assisting high school choir and marching band students. He plans to become the director of a junior or senior high school choir after he graduates from Grove City.
Tristan’s outside interests include spending time with friends, being with nature, reading, listening to music, and going for drives.
The Inman Scholarship was established in 2001, in recognition of Philip H. Inman (1932-2019), Artistic Director of the Beaver Valley Choral Society. He is a former music educator at Rochester Area High School, in addition to directing the Choral Society for 30 years. The $500.00 scholarship is awarded annually to a music student who is focusing on the Choral Arts. Colleges participating in the scholarship program are Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities and Geneva, Grove City and Westminster Colleges.