Dr. Wesley and Mrs. Marilyn True Piano Scholarship

The Dr. Wesley and Mrs. Marilyn True Piano Scholarship is available through the UCM Alumni Foundation for a student who in good academic standing at UCM who is taking piano lessons through the UCM Music Department. This scholarship is made possible by way of a generous gift from the True family.

Dr. Wesley True earned three degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BM, MM, DMA). After a short stint teaching at Furman University, he and his family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri in 1962 where he became an integral member of the UCM’s music department. At UCM from 1962 to 1996, Wesley maintained a large private piano studio and taught numerous lecture courses (Piano Pedagogy, Piano Literature, Music Literature, American Music, to name only a few). He performed often in Hart Recital Hall, in the states and abroad, both as a solo artist and a collaborative pianist with other UCM faculty and his wife Marilyn, his duet/two-piano partner. Wesley and his colleague, Dr. Richard Smith founded the UCM Summer Piano Institute in 1988, which continues to this day. Also in 1988, Wesley and Marilyn participated in the Missouri/London program, teaching and living for a semester in London, England.

Wesley was a “teacher’s teacher” establishing a “weekend college,” courses for community teachers, focusing on various aspects of piano literature.

Marilyn M. True (1930 – 2021) was born in Nyack, NY, earned her Bachelor’s degree in music education from Ithaca College and Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Marilyn established an Independent Piano Studio in Warrensburg, MO, which she maintained for over forty years. She taught students of all ages – from kindergarten through retired adults. In addition to her private studio, she was often an adjunct teacher at UCM and between 1971-1981 was on the faculty of State Fair Community College. Marilyn was a vital collaborative artist performing solo and collaborative performances statewide. Additionally, Marilyn helped to establish the Epsilon Omega chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at UCM.

Marilyn and Wesley were active members of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), each holding numerous leadership positions (local, state, and national). They were inducted into the MTNA Foundation Fellows in 2004.
Both Wesley and Marilyn forever changed the musical lives of hundreds of students, colleagues, and community members through their challenging and nurturing teaching, their inspiring performances, and their unwavering support. Through this endowed scholarship, their support will live on for generations of future students.