Lucky nine get a free ride to Berklee

Audi Lynch, a 19-year-old bassist from Roxbury, couldn't stop smiling.

He was one of nine Boston youths awarded a four-year scholarship to Berklee College of Music last night.

"When I heard my name called, I was totally shocked," Lynch said. "I had to perform before they made the announcement, and my nerves were on edge."

The full-tuition Berklee City Music Continuing Scholarships were announced midway through the 14th Annual Berklee City Music Blow-Out Concert at the Berklee Performance Center. The event showcased 50 musicians who had just completed the Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program.

Eighteen of the 50 students qualified for the scholarships, provided they took part in the summer program and were admitted to Berklee, and nine were surprised on stage when Berklee president Roger H. Brown and former director J. Curtis Warner Jr. announced the winners to a packed theater. The scholarships total almost $1 million.

"This is one of the most important things we do at Berklee," Brown said. "Usually the difference from being successful financially and struggling financially is a college degree, and Berklee can be what helps them succeed. It's one of the highlights of the year."

Since the 18 finalists did not know whether they would receive the scholarship until halfway through the concert, many were thinking before the concert about what they would do if they were not one of the lucky ones.

"If I don't win a scholarship, I'm going to get about eight jobs and a bunch of student loans," Kevin Duffy, a 19-year-old vocalist and drummer from Brighton, said 10 minutes before the concert. "And then I would apologize to my grandchildren because they'll probably be paying them off."

Before the night was over, Duffy was awarded with a scholarship worth more than $25,000 a year. Another recipient was Jonathan Howell, 18, a vibraphonist from Roxbury, and Peter Handy Jr., 18, a saxophonist from Mattapan, who was brought to tears on stage when his name was called.

The recipients come from different backgrounds and are looking to pursue different parts of the music business. David Alexis, 18, a vocalist from Dorchester, hopes to continue a career that has been highlighted by singing background for Willie Nelson and Jennifer Holiday.

Vancil Cooper, 18, a drummer from Hyde Park, wants to enter the business side of music and give back to the local community.

"I want to work on my dream of having my own studio," Cooper said. "My other dream is having a record label to support local acts."

Initially, Berklee planned to award only six scholarships, but an outpouring of support from the community allowed the college to increase the number to nine.

A generous gift from trustee Jim Pallotta "helped us expand the number of scholarships," Brown said. "And there is excitement from people in the community about this program. . . . People come down here and see what these kids are capable of."

Despite being immersed in a five-week summer program, some of the soon-to-be classmates have begun performing together outside Berklee. Nia Ferguson, 18, a vocalist from Dorchester; Kyle Miles, an 18-year-old bassist from Roxbury; and Matthew Williams, 18, a drummer from Dorchester, all have performed on stage under the name "D. Alexis Music," named after fellow recipient and band member David Alexis.