The Nodaway Chorale has awarded its 2026 Scholarship to Ellie Parsons, a Maryville senior, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to choral music and theater education, with a formal presentation scheduled for the organization’s upcoming spring concert.
MARYVILLE, MO – The Nodaway Chorale has announced a 2026 Scholarship will be awarded to Ellie Parsons, a graduating senior from Maryville R-II School District. The scholarship is granted to students who demonstrate a commitment to choral music, service to school and community, and a passion for singing.
Ms. Parsons will be attending the University of Central Missouri this fall. In her application Ellie shares, “Some of the most pivotal experiences in my life have been a result of the arts. It is how I got my first experience working as a choreographer and helped me find a community starting in elementary school and lasting through today. Beyond performing, music has served as my most reliable emotional outlet. This built-in connection has transformed my passion into a professional calling.” Parsons added, “By pursuing a career in Musical Theater and Theater education, I intend to teach this art at the high school level, helping to ensure the joy of the stage is accessible to this generation and many more to come.”
Ellie’s musical resume highlights include singing with Maryville High School (MHS) Spectrum Show Choir and Concert Choir for four years, Outstanding Vocalist at the North Polk Comet Sensation Show Choir Festival in 2026, Exemplary (Gold) Rating Vocal Solo at Missouri State Music Festival in 2025, and All-District Choir (Northwest Missouri District) 2023-2025. Her musical theater experience includes acting in four MHS musical
theater productions, being a seven-year participant in Maryville Young Players, including receiving the Shooting Star Award, and performing in four productions with MYP: Second Stage Community Theatre.
The scholarship award will be presented at the Nodaway Chorale Spring Concert on April 26, 2026, at the Schneider Performing Arts Center, Maryville High School.
The annual Nodaway Chorale Scholarship Award is available to graduating high school seniors in all Nodaway County high schools and home schools. The purpose is to encourage students who demonstrate a commitment to vocal music, to display the value the Chorale places on choral music, and to provide financial assistance to qualified high school seniors to further their education.
The Nodaway Chorale is a non-profit, non-audition, secular mixed voice chorus with singers from various communities in the county, For more information on the Scholarship Award or Nodaway Chorale email info@nodawaychorale.org .
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