SAN ANGELO, Texas — Angelo State University senior, Selah Rose Kjar of San Angelo, was awarded a 2023-2024 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award from the Presser Foundation in Philadelphia.
A $3,000 scholarship and the title of Presser Scholar is included in the award presented to the senior music major.
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award celebrates students selected by their music faculty annually in their final year of study. Students "who have achieved a high level of music and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and contributed to an inclusive community" are recognized.
Angelo State says it is the most prestigious undergraduate honor in music at the university.
For the 2023-2024 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) accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
ASU's music program was invited to join in 2023, and Kjar is the first ASU student to be named as a Presser Scholar.
"The music faculty at Angelo State are proud of Selah's accomplishments and of her contributions to the ASU music program," ASU professor of music, Dr. Stephen Emmons, said about Kjar. "She has a bright future as a musician and educator, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors."
Kjar graduated from Water Valley High School and is set to 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 scholarship, Kjar has received the ASU Performing Arts, San Angelo Area Foundation and San Angelo Community Band scholarships.
After graduation, Kjar will be the head band director for the Eden Consolidated Independent School District.