Winter 2012 - Wayland Baptist University Alumni Association

of the School of Music at Wayland. “He loves performing, but he
also loves learning. When we have students in our classes who enjoy
learning as much as he does, it makes our jobs incredibly worthwhile.”
Not only is Draper a model student, but his professors also
realized that he is phenomenally talented. As a result, Draper was
nominated as the school’s representative in a scholarship competition
hosted by the Texas Association of Music Schools.
Stutes explained that a generous donation from the Clara
Freshour-Nelson family funds the scholarship competition. The gift
was given to the state organization due to the family’s desire to give
music students from across the entire state a chance to earn scholarship
money. As a result, TAMS set up three competitions, for two-year
schools, four-year private institutions and four-year public institutions.
“Every school that is a member of TAMS is allowed to nominate
one true second-semester freshman for the scholarship competition,”
Stutes said.
The contestants compete and scholarships are awarded based on
musical performance and need. Stutes, who judges the two-year and
four-year public schools competitions, said the judging committees
generally award multiple scholarships in each category depending on
how many students they feel are worthy. The judging committee also
names a single grand-prize recipient for each of the three categories.
Draper was nominated by the School of Music and submitted an
essay and a 10-minute recording of his music. As a result, he was
named the grand-prize recipient for the four-year private schools
competition, competing against music students from schools such as
Baylor, Southern Methodist and Texas Christian University.
“Christion is probably one of the finest vocal students we have
ever had at Wayland,” Stutes said.
As a grand-prize winner, Draper will be invited to perform at the
TAMS meeting in January.
“I get flown to Au stin to sing for all the deans in Texas. I get to
put on a mini concert. It’s very prestigious. They are flying in my
family, my accompanist, my voice teacher and my fiancée by then …
probably,” Draper said with a smile.
His girlfriend/fiancée, Andrea Hamric, has also been recognized
as a scholarship winner at the TAMS competition.
Draper said he plans to complete his degree in opera at Wayland
then continue his education, earning a doctorate in vocal performance.
“We know he is going to go on from this institution and – what we
like to say around here – make the world a better place through his
music,” Stutes said.
“ We know he is going
to go on from this
institution and –
what we like to say
around here – make
the world a better
place through his
music.
Dr. Ann Stutes
Dean, School of Music
“
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