Noel Wilkins Scholarship
The Noel Wilkins Scholarship was established through the San Jacinto Foundation in memory of long time Professor of Music at San Jacinto College Central Campus. Professor Wilkins died in 2006 and had served on the faculty of San Jacinto College Central for thirty-five years. He taught various subjects including piano, organ, music literature, and fundamentals of music. He was active in the community working with the Bay Area Chorus, and First Presbyterian Church, Pasadena as organist. In addition to piano and organ, Professor Wilkins was a baritone player and loved the life of a musician and educator. To this date, the scholarship has supported several keyboard majors at the Central Campus in their studies. Each year, there is a special day for keyboard students to audition for the scholarship. The date for this year is Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Texas. Interested candidates should call the music department to set up their audition time. Applications are on-line at this web site. Candidates must declare music as their major either in performance or music education and be a piano, organ or harpsichord major. The scholarship amount varies each year with a range of $500 to $1500 per semester. The scholarship is for one year and may be renewed. Students must maintain a 3.0 average in their studies and be actively planning on finishing a bachelor’s degree after completing their work at San Jacinto College.
The concert held this past year on March 25th featured organist Zachary Golden…
Zachary David Golden is the son of David and Ruth Golden and is a 2008 graduate of Pasadena Memorial High School in Pasadena, Texas. His
previous piano teachers included Karen Grumbles, Jeff Miles, Donna Powell, and Dr. Sarah Spencer. He began organ studies with Dr. Martha Braswell in the spring of 2011 and received the Noel Wilkins Scholarship for his studies. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society, Mu Omnicron Chapter. Zachary has auditioned at the University of Texas, University of North Texas, and the University of Houston. He will continue his studies upon graduation from San Jacinto College Central at one of the previously mentioned schools. His plans for the future include undergraduate and graduate work in organ performance and possible study overseas. He is music director/organist at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas and has a small private studio in piano.
