Xenia Anton Desby (1928-1978)

This scholarship was originally for organ students in memory of Xenia Anton Desby, but has recently been expanded to include all Church musicians, and now also includes a memoriam to her husband, Dr. Frank Desby (see biography here).

Xenia Anton was the daughter of Greek immigrants, Leonidas and Chrissoula Anton, who encouraged her love of music.  she received a Bachelor of Music from the Montana state University in 1950, followed by a Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music.  Shortly after graduation she heard that the newly-built St. Sophia Cathedral needed an organist.  Xenia auditioned and won the position.  Two years later, in 1954, Xenia married the director, Frank Desby and they raised three children.

In addition to her duties at St. Sophia, she was Dean of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Professor of Music and Business at Woodbury University.  Her last performance was in July, 1978 at a choir federation gathering at St. Sophia.  Though Xenia’s life was short, her spirit lives on through the scholarship bearing her name.

May their memory be eternal.

Desby Scholarship Guidelines

Desby Scholarship Application

Katherine Trapp (1948-2001)

A native of Oakland, CA, Kathy Trapp was born May 19, 1948 to Jerome and Stamatena Trapp.  The eldest of three daughters, Kathy was an elementary school music teacher in the San Jose and Richmond School Districts for several years.   Kathy later worked at elementary schools in Clayton and Pleasant Hill for four years.  She was the Adult and Youth Choir Director at Resurrection Greek Orthodox church in Castro Valley, CA as well as serving as the Youth Music Education Specialist for our Music Federation.   Kathy coordinated the activities of the Youth Choirs for the Federation’s annual conferences and traveled throughout the Western states to conduct workshops for our Youth Choirs.  She entered eternal life on December 20, 2001.  She dedicated her life to Christ and her vibrant personality reflected this commitment in everything she did.

May her memory be eternal.

Katherine Trapp Youth Musician Award Welcome Letter

Katherine Trapp Youth Musician Award Application

George George (1908-1992)

George N. George began singing in a Greek Orthodox Church choir in 1923 at Sts. Constantine and Helen parish in Chicago, Illinois.  It was one of the earliest four-part choral groups established n America by Mr. George Dimopoulos, an outstanding cantor, choral director and arranger.  George George had great respect for his early mentor.  His family subsequently moved to Detroit where George continued his choir singing.  During World War II when he was in the Navy, George was stationed in the Bay Area and immediately joined the Oakland choir.  Upon returning from serious naval battles as a gunners mate in the South pacific, he was on of the most loyal dedicated choir members.  He was not interested in being an officer of the choir, nor did he seek high recognition.  His contribution was consistent attendance, willingness to help any project at hand, and, of course, his musical ability and excellent bass voice.  Besides his church singing, he had a large repertroire of Greek folk songs which he and Perry Phillips often performed for formal shows and informal gatherins.  Of course his guitar accompanied him everywhere.  He was awarded the Medal of Saint Paul by Archbishop Iakovos and George placed it in his choir robe with great price.  George N. George was any choir director’s dream with the traits he demonstrated as a “regular” choir member.

May his memory be eternal.

George N. George Service Award Welcome Letter

George N. George Service Award Application