Stockbridge High School student wins multiple music awards

Haley Gipson was recognized for her achievement of winning the 2019 Mary Spring into Music Memorial Scholarship, awarded each year by the Jackson Symphony Guild to the Community Music School’s most outstanding student in the area of excellence and musical achievement.

Anyone attending the Jackson Symphony Orchestra’s final performance of the season at the Potter Center on Saturday night, April 27, might have been surprised to see a photo of Stockbridge High School student Haley Gipson featured in the evening’s program.

Gipson was being recognized for her achievement of winning the 2019 Mary Spring into Music Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each year by the Jackson Symphony Guild to the Community Music School’s most outstanding student in the area of excellence and musical achievement.

Gipson is also the 2019 winner of the Jackson Symphony Guild’s Stephen Osmond Scholarship. The largest scholarship awarded by the guild, and the CMS, the Stephen Osmond Scholarship is granted each year to a music student who demonstrates clear dedication and commitment to the music school and the community.

According to Gipson’s past choir director, Carol Hatch, “Haley is naturally talented and hard working in her piano study and performance. She exudes kindness and acceptance of others with the ability to live her many successes humbly. Her self-sacrificing character makes Haley a valuable addition to our school and to me as a forever friend!”

Earlier this year, Gipson was one of six winners of the Jackson Tuesday Musicale Student Awards program. The award is to encourage musically talented students within Jackson County to further develop their musical talents. The monetary award given to winners is intended to assist with attendance at summer music camps and festivals. This summer, Gipson will attend the Western Michigan University School of Music’s “Seminar,” an intensive two week study program for high school musicians held at the main campus in Kalamazoo.

Gipson will perform at the Jackson Symphony Guild’s year-end celebration on May 2 at Weatherwax Hall. She will also perform at the Jackson Tuesday Musicale Luncheon on May 14 at the Jackson Country Club. Gipson has studied classical piano for seven years with Dr. Nikie Oechsle, CMS instructor and adjunct faculty member at Spring Arbor University.