Sheep Creek Arts Council - 2010 Scholarship Awarded

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Submitted by Muriel Dais
The Sheep Creek Arts Council is pleased to announce that Blake Murray, of Black Diamond, has been awarded the 2010 scholarship for continued study in some aspect of the fine arts. Blake graduated from Oilfields High School in June 2010 and has been accepted in the Preparatory Music programme at Red Deer College. In recommending Blake for the SCAC scholarship, Dixie-Lynne Stickel (of Bach Door Music Studio) said “Once in awhile you find a student with an exceptional natural talent and Blake has an amazing ability.” Rob Stokes, who has taught guitar for sixteen years, says that “Blake is one of the best guitar students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching.” In addition to playing guitar and composing for the guitar, Blake began studying piano and music theory in 2009/2010. Blake finds piano study both “challenging and engrossing as well as a way to expand my musical horizons.” He and his father built a music studio in their garage and this has been a gathering place for his bandmates from “This Steak is Divine.” He plays lead guitar and is back-up vocalist with two for his friends, for this Heavy Metal band.
On November 5th, Jackie Brassard, President of Sheep Creek Arts Council, had the pleasure of meeting Blake Murray and presenting his cheque for five hundred dollars. In thanking the Arts Council, Blake indicated that he would be using the money to pay part of his tuition for the second semester at Red Deer College. He is enjoying his studies and looks forward to further education in music. The Sheep Creek Arts Council provides a scholarship of five hundred dollars for students who live within the bus zone of Oilfields High School and who have been accepted in a post-secondary programme of at least one year's duration in some aspect of the fine arts (this may include art, music, drama, journalism or architecture).