in residence at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church
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Jeffrey Dean Memorial Fund
Belle Voci is a registered Pennsylvania Non-Profit Corporation
with (501(c)(3) IRS federal tax exemption status.
From left to right:
Doris Zurawka, Belle Voci Board Chair;
Silas Owens, Jeffrey Dean Award Recipient; Abby Dean, daughter of
Jeffrey Dean and Monica Pica
Congratulations to the 2023 Jeffrey Dean Memorial Award recipient, Silas Owens. Belle Voci Board Chairperson, Doris Zurawka, together with Abby Dean, Daughter of Jeffrey Dean and Monica Pica, made the announcement and presented the award at the annual Jeffrey Dean Memorial Recital, a performance that showcases the talents of music students at Fox Chapel Area High School. This event took place on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
This is the 16th year that the award has been presented to a Fox Chapel Area High School senior who exhibits leadership, both officially and by example, and demonstrates passion for musical performance during his/her high school years.
Belle Voci maintains the Jeffrey Dean Memorial Award, which was established in memory of the 1980 Fox Chapel Area High School graduate who found and brought joy to others through musical performance. A selection committee, made up of the Fox Chapel Area High School choral, orchestra, and band directors, along with a representative from the Belle Voci Jeffrey Dean Advisory Committee, chooses the award recipient.
Silas was a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Men’s Ensemble, Concert Choir, the PMEA Honors Band, and he participated in the Allegheny-Valley Band Festival and the Spring Musical.
In the fall, Silas plans to pursue music at Butler University in Indianapolis with the goal of becoming a professional saxophone player and composer. In his application essay, Silas wrote, “One of my most gratifying moments as a musician at Fox Chapel was at a marching band competition when I noticed two young boys, perhaps fourth graders, smiling in the front of the audience as I played a solo. As I grow older I hope to have many more of these moments where I share the joy of music with others, just as Jeffrey Dean did in his life.”
Silas also wrote, “In my experience, the music department is not just the loudest corner of the high school, but a place where people lift each other up. There is a culture of encouragement among the students and teachers that gives students an advantage when they need to push through mistakes and disappointments in music, school, or elsewhere in life.”
