Friends of Old Rochester Music (F.O.R.M.) is pleased to share that in addition to their 2024-25 scholarship awards of $5,750 to seven deserving ORR music seniors, they split a scholarship award of $1,500 between two graduating seniors and jazz students – Luke DeVoe & Calder Eaton. 

The “Stone Rooster Jazz Award” is named 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, started the scholarship following Gilda’s would-be 100th birthday in 2024. Gilda was a lover of jazz and showcased musicians at her business, including successful local graduates. 

Luke & Calder were selected as the ORR recipients after reviewing all applicants to F.O.R.M. scholarships. Band instructor Pedro Silva awarded both students recognition during their senior spring concert, and he’s delighted F.O.R.M. and the Stone Rooster Award will support their higher education.

Luke DeVoe will attend the University of Rhode Island and study Kinesiology, and he plans to pursue jazz or pep bands. Calder Eaton will attend Belmont University in Nashville, TN where he will study music performance. 

Luke started at Sippican Elementary School, and has played with jazz and concert band on the drums throughout junior and senior high. Calder began playing guitar only in eleventh grade and noted in his application that his only regret was not starting earlier in his high school as jazz band was a main motivation at school. 

2024-25 F.O.R.M. scholarship winners were: Luke DeVoe, Eden Dupre, Calder Eaton, Katelyn Fisher, Sienna Roveda, Christian Pedulli, and Audrey Pither. This is our 42nd 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