LYNNFIELD — High School senior Finnian Mattingly gave new meaning to the expression, “singing for his supper” by landing accolades and a scholarship from a well-established choral society.
The Newburyport Choral Society (NCS) awarded Mattingly the 2021 Betty Gillette Scholarship to Finnian (Finn) Mattingly of Lynnfield.
Named for founding NCS member Betty Gillette, who sang with the chorus from 1934 to 2009, the $1,000 scholarship is presented each year to a local high school senior who plans to major in music at the collegiate level.
“Thank you to NCS and the scholarship committee,” said Mattingly, upon hearing the news, “I am honored and grateful to pursue music at the collegiate level and eventually as a career.”
NCS Music Director Ryan Turner was quick to remark on this year’s scholarship winner: “Finnian possesses an impressive combination of scholarship, humanity and passion that is inspiring and brings hope to the future of classical music, and I look forward to watching his work unfold.”
At Lynnfield High School, Mattingly performs in a number of vocal groups, including the Concert Choir and Men’s Chorus, as well as the advanced Chamber Singers group.
Equally as significant, he has demonstrated a passion for musical composition that quickly caught the attention of his high school choral director.
“I could instantly see his knowledge of music was more advanced than any of my students in the areas of music theory and composition,” said Douglas Hodgkins, director of choral activities at Lynnfield High School. “It was not until our first coffee house, a night of small ensemble and solo performances, that everyone saw where his true passion lies.”
“He performed an original composition with a violinist that showed his ability and vision and left the audience wanting more.”
Since 2019, Mattingly has also been attending the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, taking composition lessons and classes with Composition Faculty member Rodney Lister.
“I have been impressed by his innate musical aptitude as well as the quality of the several pieces he has written while studying with me, which are on the level of the very best students I have worked with not only on the pre-college, but the college level,” said Lister, who also is senior lecturer in music, composition and music theory at Boston University’s Composition and Theory Department.
“In fact, Finn is one of the most impressive of the students I have ever taught,” Lister added.
Described as an exemplary student as well as an outstanding musician, Mattingly was accepted to the Royal College of Music in London, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Composition.
Recognizing the challenges of pursuing a classical music career during the time of a worldwide pandemic, Finn Mattingly stated: “Now, more than ever, is the most important time to study composition. Musicians are essential; when we emerge from the pandemic, it will be necessary to re-knit communities that were damaged and learn to celebrate again.”