Investing in the next generation of voices
We believe the work doesn’t end when a young person steps off the stage.
It begins there.
The Riley West Scholarship is our commitment to the young people who show up, grow up, lead and lift others through song through their participation in one of our Youth Program ensembles. This scholarship is an investment in who they are becoming…
Not just as singers, but as students, leaders, and members of our broader community.
A Living Legacy
The Riley West Scholarship was created by OIGC alumnus Peter Bland and his wife Nancy West as a way to give back, rooted in a belief in young people and the power of education. With Peter’s own experience of receiving scholarships and grants that made it possible for him to attend college, and a shared commitment to helping young people continue their education, the two established this fund to support the young singers of OIYC, and named it in memory of their beloved dog, Riley.
After many years of administration by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in 2022, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir formally assumed stewardship of the fund, taking on full responsibility for its growth, direction, and impact. And now, the subsequent merger with Oakland Youth Chorus means this college scholarship is available to motivate and support even more young singers!
What began as one alumnus’s act of generosity has become a lasting commitment: a community-held investment in the futures of the young singers who come through our doors. And you can help carry this legacy forward.
What This Scholarship Makes Possible
Each year, the Riley West Scholarship provides financial support to members of the Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir as they pursue higher education.
But more than that, it says:
We see you. We believe in you. We’re with you as you take your next step.
Scholarship award amounts vary each year based on available funding and number of recipients - typically, $2,000 or more per student.
And contributors like you make this possible.
“I’ve been in OIGC since middle school, and it’s been my home - where I made friendships, got to travel, and really use my whole voice. When I received the Riley West Scholarship, it felt like the community I grew up in was still standing behind me as I stepped into college.”