New Scholarship Expands Opportunities for Jazz Students

2025 Farrell Family Jazz Scholarship awarded to incoming Clark student Thilo Kluth

Clark College’s commitment to jazz education is receiving an extra layer of support in the form of the Farrell Family Jazz Scholarship. The inaugural recipient is pianist and Hockinson High School graduate, Thilo Kluth, who will join Clark’s jazz program this fall. 

The annual scholarship, created by community members, Norman Farrell and Carol Tocco, provides $6,000 per year for two years to a promising jazz student. Music faculty member, Dr. Doug Harris, led the selection process, which included student recordings in multiple musical styles.  

“Thilo displayed a very strong understanding of the styles and improvised at an extremely high musical level,” Dr. Harris said. 

For Norman, a lifelong musician who plays seven different instruments—including the Irish Penny Whistle—supporting students like Thilo is both personal and purposeful. 

“Creating a scholarship makes it more possible for people to get a bona fide jazz education, which is something I didn’t get as a young person,” Norman said. “Having high-quality instruction and the right kind of coaching, such as you get at Clark College, is critical to supporting people in playing jazz music beyond the high school level.” 

Carol echoed that sentiment, adding, “We hope this scholarship shows that we think this is important and that we value this work and want to nurture what young people already feel about their own music—that it’s worth pursuing.” 

Norman and Carol were drawn to Clark College because of its strong and accessible jazz program. “Students are playing at an exceptionally high level,” Norman said. “Here is a program that is already strong, and it’s not very far away. I feel fortunate that we live so close by.” 

They also credit the Clark College Foundation with helping bring their vision to life. “The support is thorough when you reach out to Clark College,” Carol said. “Angela Torretta and the Foundation have been diligent, and Doug has made himself available. The willingness to work with someone who wants to do something like this is amazing.” 

The couple hopes that their gift will not only help individual students succeed but also enrich the community. “Since Clark College’s music program gives public performances and students play in other ensembles, we hope this scholarship will increase the amount of high-quality jazz and other music available in the community,” he said. 

In addition to the scholarship, Norman and Carol also created the Farrell Family Instrument Award, first presented at the 2025 Clark College Jazz Festival. This award, made at the discretion of the music department, provides promising jazz students with high-quality instruments essential to their training. The inaugural recipient, Ian Arellano-Mendez, received a Buffet B-Flat clarinet. 

Through both the scholarship and the instrument award, Norman sees an opportunity to strengthen the future of the music form he loves while supporting the ambitions of young musicians. 

“The music that has come to be described as jazz—that music speaks to me,” he said. “Supporting the availability of jazz training and development at the college level is a thrilling way to sustain and nurture the tradition and the future of jazz music.” 

About Clark’s Music Program 

Clark’s Music program offers students a range of courses in theory, performance, appreciation, and history. Whether preparing for advanced study or simply deepening a love of music, students gain the skills to make music a lifelong pursuit. Guided by accomplished faculty, they build a strong foundation for careers in the arts and discover opportunities to perform in concert band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, and choir. 

Learn More 

For complete information about all the Clark College Music Department concerts including the orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see the the calendar of upcoming music events.  

To see a full roster of Clark College music events, visit the Music Events page of our website.. 

Learn more about Clark’s music program.