Senior Rachel Kincaid was recently awarded a Marshall Scholarship to pursue two master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. Kincaid is a trumpet player and composer at the Eastman School of Music. She is one of 37 recipients of the 2008 Marshall Scholarships from across the United States and the first winner from the UR since 1988.
“I was surprised and amazed when I found out I’d won the award? It’s an amazing opportunity and I felt very honored to have been selected to receive the award,” Kincaid said.
A Marshall Scholar, according to Kincaid, is a person who demonstrates creativity and leadership in his or her field. The Marshall Scholarship program was established in 1953 by the British Parliament to allow students to attend any UK University for two years. The program was established in response to the Marshall Plan’s assistance after World War II as a gesture.
Next year, Kincaid will begin a one-year master’s degree program at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England in trumpet performance. The following year, she will pursue her second master’s degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland in music composition.
“I’m planning to charter a unique career path which combines trumpet performance and composition with an emphasis on socially relevant music which speaks to diverse audiences,” Kincaid said.
Kincaid plans to do aid work in developing nations and learn about the native culture’s musical traditions and ultimately integrate elements of the native music into her own compositions.
“I hope to help to expand contemporary classical music’s audience in the U.S. by bringing the music into communities and making it accessible to a wider range of audiences,” Kincaid said.
Halusic is a member of the class of 2010.
