Following the 2011 Festival, The Board of Directors of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival established the Jean Pilcher Scholarship Fund in honor of the Past President.

"A longtime resident of Burlington, Jean Pilcher is a passionate advocate for music - not only in our community, but nationwide. She became particularly dedicated to Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival when she attended a couple of faculty concerts and discovered what a unique and marvelous organization it is," said Board member, Frederick Noonan. He continued, "an artist manager for much of her professional life, Jean nourished the development of young artists and their emerging careers. I recall that she was particularly dedicated to the Emerson Quartet from its earliest days. It is now an internationally renowned ensemble. As a person who encourages young musicians to immerse themselves in chamber music for their own pleasure and to develop their artistry from the early stages of their careers, it seems fitting that Jean Pilcher should be honored with a scholarship in her name."

Ms. Pilcher responded to the tribute saying, "I could not have been more surprised nor honored in any more meaningful way than by having had the board establish a scholarship fund in my name, citing what I admit is my "obsessive devotion" to the Festival!   It's my fellow board members who deserve plaudits for recognizing how vital it is that we all support the wonderful young artists who flock to the festival each summer and sacrifice much in their efforts to become professionals.

One of the things distinguishing this festival from many others is that the students are given opportunities to perform in public. The high level of talent they've exhibited has always impressed me and, as a former violinist, I know how hard they've worked to have risen to such heights. We all know the old 'How do you get to Carnegie Hall?' joke. Malcolm Gladwell, in Outliers: The Story of Success also asserts that having innate talent or aptitude isn't enough; that putting in the hours of work ('practice, practice, practice') is an essential part of attaining success. During their month at this conservatory, the students certainly do that, mentored and inspired by their teachers. But chamber music is, of course, the focus of the festival. I love their exuberant response to the wonderful chamber music performances by faculty. It's positively infectious! And by participating in chamber ensembles themselves, they're involved in relationships that require listening to other points of view; collaborating; cooperating - all skills that can be applied to life in general."

Each summer, over 140 young musicians attend GMCMF from all over the U.S. and several foreign countries. Many of the most talented young artists require financial aid to support their dream of studying with the master teachers on the faculty and performing chamber music in the inspiring environment at Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Last year, our scholarship budget was stretched more than ever as we worked to help talented young musicians come to Burlington for our festival; several of our most gifted prospective students could not attend because of the limits of our scholarship resources. Please consider a donation to the Jean Pilcher Scholarship Fund, to enable us to invite the most gifted and dedicated young musicians to Burlington this summer, regardless of their financial means. Please donate now through our secure online system.