THE FERNANDO MADEIRA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Portuguese Foundation has established a new scholarship in honor of Fado Singer Fernando Madeira for its 20th Anniversary.
The Portuguese Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the creation of the Fernando Madeira Memorial Scholarship, with a generous donation from the family of Mrs. Maria Irene Rodrigues, sister of Fernando Madeira, and a matching grant from the Foundation.
“This scholarship award is very special for my parents, because it recognizes the love of music my uncle had throughout his life,” said Mrs. Grace Rodrigues Allum, niece of Fernando Madeira. “I strongly believe that if my uncle were still alive today he would very much love to be a mentor for younger artists, especially those who share a love of Fado as he did. That is why we are happy to work with The Portuguese Foundation today in setting up a memorial scholarship that will go to assist a student in the studies of Music.”
The general scholarship program of The Portuguese Foundation has been established for more than 19 years, and the group has just celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010. The President of the group, Jose “Zak” Bravado, said, “this marks an important step for our small statewide group. By establishing a memorial scholarship, we hope to showcase another way that others can give to the Foundation on behalf of their loved ones. But more importantly, it will also allow us to give a scholarship award to a college student majoring in Music, while respectfully highlighting the life of a man who had musical roots in Connecticut, Portugal and the island of Madeira. I am honored that the Rodrigues family has approached us with this opportunity.”
To qualify for the Fernando Madeira Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet the same criteria for the general scholarship of The Foundation, and must be a full time student in a music conservatory, or be a Junior or Senior enrolled in the music department of an accredited college or university. In addition, the eligibility requirements for the memorial scholarship are based on the group’s general scholarship application, with two exceptions. First, one of the two letters of recommendation must be from a Dean or Staff Member of the Music Department where the student is majoring, and second, the student must explain in their general essay how they wish to promote Portuguese Culture with their Music degree. If a qualified applicant is chosen, the award will be given at the Scholarship Banquet of the Portuguese Foundation, where the student must be present to accept the award.
For further information on applying for the Fernando Madeira Memorial Scholarsip please visit the scholarship criteria page or download the scholarship application.
Please read this moving poem written in memory of Fernando Madeira on the 20th anniversary of his passing.
