Senior Sam Wenger-Stickel was recently announced as one of five nationwide winners of the inaugural KRUTZ First Chair Scholarship.

The KRUTZ First Chair Scholarship was created to recognize exceptional student musicians who demonstrate talent, leadership, and dedication to their craft. Eligible applicants were required to be high school seniors, string players, and committed to pursuing music performance or education at the collegiate level. Music educators across the country nominated deserving students through a competitive application process that included teacher recommendations and proof of college acceptance. The $1,000 scholarship will support Sam's collegiate music studies this fall at Rice University, where he plans to study in the university’s renowned Shepherd School of Music.

In addition to this national honor, Sam recently earned another prestigious achievement, winning the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition. As the competition winner, Sam will perform Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto as a featured soloist during the ensemble’s final concert of the season on May 31, 2026, at Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center.

Sam’s accomplishments reflect years of discipline, artistry, and commitment to excellence, and we are thrilled to celebrate these remarkable milestones as he prepares for the next chapter of his musical career.

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Read Sam's recent interview with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra →