Friends of Old Rochester Music (F.O.R.M.) is pleased to share that in addition to their 2023-24 scholarship awards of $5,500 to twelve deserving ORR music seniors, they awarded a first-time scholarship of $1,500 to Jorge “Jay” Carrillo III, a graduating senior and jazz student. 

The new scholarship is named the “Stone Rooster Jazz Award” in memory of Gilda Pietragalla Downey who operated Gilda’s Stone Rooster for decades on the Marion/Wareham line. One of the current owners of the establishment now called River Junction, John Mello, approached Old Rochester Regional High School after fundraising during a celebration of Gilda’s would-be 100th birthday. Gilda was a lover of jazz and showcased musicians at her business, including successful local graduates. A similar scholarship was also awarded to a Wareham High School music student. 

Jorge (Jay) was unanimously selected as the ORR recipient after reviewing all applicants to F.O.R.M. scholarships. Band instructor Pedro Silva said “Jay is a driven jazz artist and a creative songwriter. He is also the only senior pursuing a music career.” 

Jay said of the award, “I am grateful to be recognized with a scholarship named for a legendary local institution. The support will help me attend The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.”

He started his musical journey in fifth grade at Sippican Elementary School. Playing percussion throughout, he picked up bass guitar in jazz band as a junior and joined chorus as a senior. He also had the lead role of Seymour in the ORR drama club 2024 production of Little Shop of Horrors. 

Jay was a leader for the high school’s music appreciation club. He performed in NolanFest Community Music Festival 2021-2023. During Summer 2022 he studied in an intensive percussion workshop at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and in Spring 2023 he participated in a 12-week “Music Career Mastermind” online course with the Music Accelerator Program.

2023-24 F.O.R.M. scholarship winners were: Chloe Bean, Arianna Bessey, Jorge Carrillo, Eloise Casi, Alia Cusolito, Molly Dupre, Corinne Hibbert, James Kippenberger, Keelin Lienkamp, Cattarinha Nunes, Allison Root, and Allison Winters. This is our 41st year of awards!

F.O.R.M. is grateful for the community support of our business sponsors, individual donors, and concert attendees for making our scholarships, instrument purchases, enrichment, and more possible! Learn more at www.friendsofoldrochestermusic.org