Sophomore Jessica Boren Receives Prestigious Music Scholarship

Texas A&M University-Commerce sophomore Jessica Boren was recently awarded the Clara Freshour Nelson Music Scholarship from the Texas Association of Music Schools (TAMS).

Boren, a trumpet player from Sherman, Texas, and graduate of Tom Bean High School, is one of 10 new four-year state university recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year.

“I feel so honored to have been chosen for this scholarship. I look forward to all the great opportunities the scholarship has opened up for me, and I am grateful to the phenomenal staff at [A&M-Commerce] who have helped me along the way,” said Boren.

The scholarship provides $6,000 per year for educational expenses and may be renewed each spring.

Dr. David Scott, head of the A&M-Commerce Department of Music, notes that Boren is exceptionally deserving of the honor.

“She is a wonderful representative of the music program at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and we are confident she will represent TAMS and the Nelson Family Foundation well throughout her academic and artistic career,” said Scott.

Clara Freshour Nelson Music Scholarship awardees are chosen based on academic record and grade point average, quality of musical performance, faculty recommendation, stated educational and professional goals and financial need. Students are selected from four-year state and private institutions as well as two-year colleges. Only freshman music majors in their second semester are eligible to apply.

Since 1938, TAMS has worked to improve the quality of the music educational system in Texas. With a gift from the Clara Freshour Nelson Foundation in 2009, the eponymous scholarship was created to help outstanding college students with financial need to pursue fine arts education.

For more information about TAMS and the Clara Freshour Nelson Music Scholarship, visit http://www.txams.org.