Angelo State Music Student Wins Prestigious National Scholarship

SAN ANGELO, TX — Selah Rose Kjar of San Angelo, a senior music major at Angelo State University, has earned a 2023-24 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award from the Presser Foundation in Philadelphia that includes a $3,000 scholarship and the title of Presser Scholar.

The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award annually celebrates students, selected by their music faculty during their final year of study, "who have achieved a high level of music and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and contributed to an inclusive community." It is the most prestigious undergraduate honor in music at Angelo State.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the Presser Foundation expanded participation in the award program to colleges and universities classified as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Angelo State's music program was invited to join in 2023, and Kjar is the first ASU student to be named a Presser Scholar.

"The music faculty at Angelo State are proud of Selah's accomplishments and of her contributions to the ASU music program," said Dr. Stephen Emmons, professor of music. "She has a bright future as a musician and educator, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors."

A graduate of Water Valley High School, Kjar will graduate from ASU in May with her Bachelor of Music degree with all-level teacher certification. Her primary instrument is clarinet, and she has performed as a member of the ASU Ram Band, ASU Wind Ensemble, ASU Symphony Orchestra, ASU Symphonic Band and ASU Woodwind Ensembles. She has also performed on her secondary instruments, trombone and tuba, with the ASU Symphonic Band.

With the ASU Ram Band, Kjar was first chosen to be a section leader and then to be the student assistant to Dr. Jonathan Alvis, director of bands. As part of that leadership team, she also taught her fellow students in music and drills and helped run rehearsals. She has also served as a counselor and team member for the annual ASU Summer Music Camp since 2021.

In addition to the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, Kjar has received the ASU Performing Arts Scholarship, San Angelo Area Foundation Scholarship and San Angelo Community Band Scholarship.

Following her graduation from ASU in May, Kjar will take up the post of head band director for the Eden Consolidated Independent School District.