Jim Hutson Scholarship

Music has always been more than sound to me. It’s a language of the heart, a way to connect people to something deeper than themselves. Growing up, I discovered that worship music has a unique power to bring peace, joy, and unity. From my earliest choir performances to writing my own songs and teaching piano to others, music has shaped who I am and how I hope to make a difference in the world. I am applying for the Jim Hutson Memorial Scholarship because I see in his story a reflection of my own hopes and calling. Like Jim, I come from a family where music flows naturally, and I’ve learned that it’s not just a talent, but a gift meant to be shared. Jim Hutson’s life—his performances, his recordings, and his impact on others—reminds me that music can change lives and build communities. His example inspires me to pursue worship studies, where I can grow not just as a musician, but as a leader who helps others experience the power of faith through song. In high school, I’ve been deeply involved in choir and performance groups, finding joy in harmonizing with others and creating something beautiful together. I’ve also spent time writing worship songs that express my faith and the emotions that words alone can’t capture. Teaching piano to others has been especially rewarding—it’s amazing to see someone’s confidence grow as they master a new song or realize they can make music themselves. Those experiences have taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of encouraging others to discover their own gifts. My ambition is to study worship music in college and eventually lead others through songwriting, performance, and teaching. I want to create music that brings hope and healing, much like Jim Hutson did throughout his life. I believe that worship music can reach people in ways few other things can—it can comfort, inspire, and remind us that we’re not alone. I want to use my education and experiences to write songs that resonate with others and to guide future musicians as they grow in both skill and spirit. What drives me is the belief that music is one of the purest ways to make an impact. Whether I’m performing, composing, or teaching, I want every note to mean something—to lift others up, to remind them of love and purpose. Jim Hutson’s legacy shows that a life dedicated to music can leave ripples of inspiration long after the final note fades. If given the opportunity to receive this scholarship, I will carry that same spirit forward, using music not just as a career, but as a calling to serve and uplift others.

Hymns and liturgies have always been fascinating to me. As a kid, I enjoyed watching the Organ at my church. I was mesmerized by the pedals below and the pipes up above. My Family would go to church and sing hymns, I sing in the choir, and it has all made me realize my love for music. My mom played the piano as a kid, and the main piece she loved to play was Für Elise. She is the reason why I wanted to play the piano, but we didn’t have a piano, and we couldn’t afford to buy one. Fortunately for me, while I was spending the night at my cousin's house, my mom found a piano in nearly perfect condition two houses down from my house. I came home to find that piano and immediately fell in love with it. I started lessons with Matthew Rasmussen, who attended Concordia Chicago. I have learned a great deal, but when COVID hit it was a hard time for my piano skills. I was depressed and had no motivation to play piano. I made little to no progress during that time. During my 8th-grade year, I began to play again. I finally learned Für Elise, and I played it for my school. Afterward, I realized that this is what I want to do for my career. Entering High school, I really started to soar. I took a piano class at my High School that allowed me to practice for an hour each day. I took this class for 7 out of the 8 semester at my school. At the end of each semester, I performed in a recital for my High School, and each semester, I played a more difficult piece. During my freshman year, I started to learn to play the organ under Mr. Rasmussen. I previously mentioned that I loved watching the organ and now I got to learn how to play it. My progress was slow due to being overshadowed by the piano. I began to pick up when I started to learn liturgies. They were a lot of fun to play on the organ. This achieved the instruments I needed in order to be a church musician, so I desire to pursue a Church Music degree in college. During the summer after my freshman year, I enrolled in a music camp called Lutheran Summer Music. I met friends who shared my passion for music, took lessons that strengthened my ability to play the piano, and learned that my passion for music could become a career. I took the Composition class and learned how much I love writing my own music.