Release Date: September 14, 1998 This content is archived.
BUFFALO, N.Y.-- An aspiring Western New York musician has been named the first recipient of the Robert I. and Eleanor Z. Millonzi Honors Scholarship for the Performing Arts, which covers all student expenses throughout four years at the University at Buffalo.
Erik Anspach of North Tonawanda is attending UB as a freshman this fall to pursue studies in music and music performance and to study French. The $12,000 scholarship will allow the accomplished flutist to focus on his academic and creative studies and campus activities by having all his expenses covered, including tuition, fees, books, personal expenses, and transportation.
Anspach appreciates the opportunity to "receive an excellent education from a highly acclaimed university" and to continue his music studies.
"Music is not a career you choose, in a way it chooses you. A love and passion to perform or educate in the music field is a calling and a talent. A talent denied is a waste and I plan to use my accomplishments as a musician to it's fullest potential," he added.
To qualify for the award, a student must first meet the Honor's Program admission standards for creative arts students: a combined Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of at least 1230 and a high-school grade-point average of at least 90. A panel of distinguished members of the university and the Western New York arts community then reviews the student's portfolio of work or audition performance. The panel then selects the scholarship recipients.
The Millonzi Scholarship was made possible through a $250,000 gift from Eleanor Millonzi, and honors students interested in pursuing careers in either art or music. The scholarship is renewable, based on Anspach maintaining the honors-program academic.
A graduate of North Tonawanda High School, Anspach maintained a 94.7 grade-point average, graduating 15th in his class. His music activities included participation in the Area All-State Band, All County Band & Orchestra, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Music Educators National Conference, and the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra. Anspach also was involved in various school activities, including the National Honor Society and the Drama Club.
Anspach said he is pleased to see increased support and funding for the arts in Western New York.
"The university's excellence in education makes it common sense to obtain my education here," said Anspach. "I applied to UB knowing that the music department staff is excellent and my other areas of education will be just as good. It all comes down to education. I believe that I will receive an excellent education from the University at Buffalo."
The Millonzi Scholarship, he added, "makes money less of a concern and receiving an excellent education more of a priority."