Marie English Memorial Scholarship Fund
(Revised 3-20-16)
The Marie English Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the North Windham Union Church (NWUC), UCC, Windham, Maine by Bill and Ruth Crane on June 27, 1999, upon the retirement of Marie English, as organist and choir director for 25 years. Marie also retired from 70 years of service in other churches, and as a high school music teacher, a choral director, and teacher of piano and organ.
The Memorial Scholarship Fund consists of monies initially received (the Principal), additional gifts and investment gains. The Principal shall be endowed. Only the income through investments and additional gifts shall be used to provide a qualified recipient(s) an award up to $1,000, depending upon available monies.
The Scholarship may be awarded to a graduating high school senior or to students currently enrolled in a college or university. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are actively involved in music as part of their course of studies or in extra-curricular school, church or community music activities.
Applicant must be a member of the North Windham Union Church, UCC, and must have regularly participated in music offerings within this church.
Scholarship applications will be solicited in the spring of each year with an application deadline of May 15th. The scholarship will be awarded in June. Once awarded, the recipient must complete a minimum of three college courses with a passing grade, and be in good academic standing. The recipient must supply proof of course completion and proof of music involvement in college before payment of the scholarship, which shall be paid out after successfully completing the first semester of college.
The recipient shall be chosen by the Music Committee of the NWUC. Multiple recipients may be chosen, depending on available funds. Applicants not chosen initially are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. Applicants who are not music majors are eligible to receive the award once. Music majors are eligible to reapply and receive the award twice. The Music Committee may choose not to award the Scholarship in any given year.
Applicants should submit a letter including contact information and:
(Revised 3-20-16)
The Marie English Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the North Windham Union Church (NWUC), UCC, Windham, Maine by Bill and Ruth Crane on June 27, 1999, upon the retirement of Marie English, as organist and choir director for 25 years. Marie also retired from 70 years of service in other churches, and as a high school music teacher, a choral director, and teacher of piano and organ.
The Memorial Scholarship Fund consists of monies initially received (the Principal), additional gifts and investment gains. The Principal shall be endowed. Only the income through investments and additional gifts shall be used to provide a qualified recipient(s) an award up to $1,000, depending upon available monies.
The Scholarship may be awarded to a graduating high school senior or to students currently enrolled in a college or university. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are actively involved in music as part of their course of studies or in extra-curricular school, church or community music activities.
Applicant must be a member of the North Windham Union Church, UCC, and must have regularly participated in music offerings within this church.
Scholarship applications will be solicited in the spring of each year with an application deadline of May 15th. The scholarship will be awarded in June. Once awarded, the recipient must complete a minimum of three college courses with a passing grade, and be in good academic standing. The recipient must supply proof of course completion and proof of music involvement in college before payment of the scholarship, which shall be paid out after successfully completing the first semester of college.
The recipient shall be chosen by the Music Committee of the NWUC. Multiple recipients may be chosen, depending on available funds. Applicants not chosen initially are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. Applicants who are not music majors are eligible to receive the award once. Music majors are eligible to reapply and receive the award twice. The Music Committee may choose not to award the Scholarship in any given year.
Applicants should submit a letter including contact information and:
- Transcript of grades.
- A music based resume that includes a list of academic music courses as well as extra-curricular, church and community music activities and achievements, including high school and college.
- A short essay describing how music has been a life influence and how music is to be included in future years.
Below is the article on Marie English's retirement in 1999
Our Beloved Marie Retires
On June 27, 1999, Marie Hoyt English retired as organist and choir director of the North Windham Union Church, UCC. Marie completed 25 years of service to this church and a total of 70 years to her ministry of Music in many churches which included: Foss Street Methodist Church in Biddeford, First Unitarian Church in Boston, School Street Methodist Church in Saco and St. Lawrence Congregational Church, Woodford’s Congregational Church and St. Luke’s Cathedral all in Portland.
A surprise musical service of worship was held to honor Marie for her dedication to church music. Special guests in God’s house included Marie’s family: her sisters, Mrs. Marianne Gillis of Portland and Mrs. Virginia Cavanaugh of Delmar, N.Y., a niece, Alice Boaz, and a great grand niece, Emma Boez. Also in attendance were her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine Marie and Philip Spiller of Westbrook, a granddaughter, Jane Marie and her husband, Mark Waypa of Friendship, Texas, a great granddaughter, Catherine Marie Waypa and her grandson Ltjg. Phillip Spiller Jr. USN, from Jacksonville, Florida. Also past colleagues representing every choir she conducted, friends, and her church family were there to help honor her. A particular highlight were special guests and dear friends, world-renown composer, Hank Beebe and his wife, Nancy.
The program included selections by the Senior Choir accompanied by Barbara Quinn. Soloists and accompanists included Debbie Blanchard, Becky Dickson, Jeff Brown, Joyce Whidden, Earl and Muriel Johnson, and a special guest appearance by Hank Beebe.
Following the musical program, Marie was told about the creation of a musical scholarship in her name. This scholarship fund was established by Bill and Ruth Crane. The Women’s Guild added to the funding of this scholarship in appreciation of her inspirational leadership as past president and chaplain of this women’s organization. Nicole Holmes presented a silver tray from the music committee and a check on behalf of the North Windham Union Church family. The Reverend Harold L. Shepard had the honor of showing her a permanent plaque declaring her “Organist-Choir Director Emeritus”. This plaque will be displayed in the Gathering Space of the church.
Marie’s retirement celebration continued with a luncheon and a time of sharing in the Fellowship Hall. Many people spoke of her dedication to teaching and devotion to church music. Many also shared stories and anecdotes of her adventures on the organ bench.
It is with mixed feelings that Marie English closes this chapter of her life, for she has truly enjoyed meeting with many wonderful people throughout the years and sharing her musical talents. The many concerts she performed and programs she directed were not only rewarding to her, but also to those in her audiences who were much wealthier for experiencing the spirit she radiated through her musicianship.
May God Bless you Marie and a Big Thank You for your many years of Music Ministry with us!
Our Beloved Marie Retires
On June 27, 1999, Marie Hoyt English retired as organist and choir director of the North Windham Union Church, UCC. Marie completed 25 years of service to this church and a total of 70 years to her ministry of Music in many churches which included: Foss Street Methodist Church in Biddeford, First Unitarian Church in Boston, School Street Methodist Church in Saco and St. Lawrence Congregational Church, Woodford’s Congregational Church and St. Luke’s Cathedral all in Portland.
A surprise musical service of worship was held to honor Marie for her dedication to church music. Special guests in God’s house included Marie’s family: her sisters, Mrs. Marianne Gillis of Portland and Mrs. Virginia Cavanaugh of Delmar, N.Y., a niece, Alice Boaz, and a great grand niece, Emma Boez. Also in attendance were her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine Marie and Philip Spiller of Westbrook, a granddaughter, Jane Marie and her husband, Mark Waypa of Friendship, Texas, a great granddaughter, Catherine Marie Waypa and her grandson Ltjg. Phillip Spiller Jr. USN, from Jacksonville, Florida. Also past colleagues representing every choir she conducted, friends, and her church family were there to help honor her. A particular highlight were special guests and dear friends, world-renown composer, Hank Beebe and his wife, Nancy.
The program included selections by the Senior Choir accompanied by Barbara Quinn. Soloists and accompanists included Debbie Blanchard, Becky Dickson, Jeff Brown, Joyce Whidden, Earl and Muriel Johnson, and a special guest appearance by Hank Beebe.
Following the musical program, Marie was told about the creation of a musical scholarship in her name. This scholarship fund was established by Bill and Ruth Crane. The Women’s Guild added to the funding of this scholarship in appreciation of her inspirational leadership as past president and chaplain of this women’s organization. Nicole Holmes presented a silver tray from the music committee and a check on behalf of the North Windham Union Church family. The Reverend Harold L. Shepard had the honor of showing her a permanent plaque declaring her “Organist-Choir Director Emeritus”. This plaque will be displayed in the Gathering Space of the church.
Marie’s retirement celebration continued with a luncheon and a time of sharing in the Fellowship Hall. Many people spoke of her dedication to teaching and devotion to church music. Many also shared stories and anecdotes of her adventures on the organ bench.
It is with mixed feelings that Marie English closes this chapter of her life, for she has truly enjoyed meeting with many wonderful people throughout the years and sharing her musical talents. The many concerts she performed and programs she directed were not only rewarding to her, but also to those in her audiences who were much wealthier for experiencing the spirit she radiated through her musicianship.
May God Bless you Marie and a Big Thank You for your many years of Music Ministry with us!