PITTSBURGH, April 8, 2009 — BNY Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh today announced that applications are being accepted for the 2009 PITT/BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship.

Now in its 23rd year, the annual, $5,000 PITT/BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship is judged by a panel of nationally recognized jazz musicians on the basis of musical ability as demonstrated by an audition tape or CD that includes samplings of various musical styles. Any full-time undergraduate student who will be enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh during the fall 2009 semester is eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Brandon Hang, the current PITT/BNY Mellon Jazz scholar, is a graduate of Central Dauphin High School in Lower Paxton, Pennsylvania and was named 2008 outstanding jazz musician by his school. He has performed in the Harrisburg Youth Symphony and in bands sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He plays and writes jazz arrangements for the trombone and also has mastered the piano. Hang is pursuing a degree in pharmacy and is a member of the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Ensemble.

"We have long admired the PITT Jazz program and we are delighted that it will now be accessible to one more deserving student as a result of this scholarship," said Jim McDonald, BNY Mellon's director of philanthropy and employee programs. "

PITT students become a part of the city's larger jazz community. I applaud BNY Mellon for its support of jazz and jazz education," said PITT Jazz Studies director, Nathan Davis.

Applications for the 2009 PITT/BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship must be submitted by Monday, May 11, 2009. For more information or to obtain an application, call the University of Pittsburgh Music Department at (412) 624-4187, visit www.music.pitt.edu or write to: 2009 PITT/BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship, 130 Music Building, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.