The Morehead State University Foundation and the Department of Music & Theatre proudly announce the recipient of the 2026 A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Endowment as Hayden Osborne.
Osborne, a junior music education major from Jonesville, competed in the annual A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Performance Competition, and performed Polaris by Mark Ford on the marimba.
The A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Performance Competition was established in 1987 as a tribute to the parents of the late Dr. Christopher S. Gallaher, former chair of MSU’s Department of Music. Students who are interested in competing must have completed 60 or more credit hours and have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
When first-year students in the Music and Theatre department witness their first A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Performance Competition, Osborne said, inspires them to participate in the future.
“As soon as you get to Morehead and in the music department, you hear about the Gallaher competition, and it’s just big, like a dream almost,” said Osborne. “It’s really awesome to be part of something that is in its 39th year and for my studio to win two years in a row.”
All students who competed had to memorize the pieces they performed. Osborne said most of the percussion classes he had taken prepared him for this moment.
“As a percussionist, we were trained to memorize already,” said Osborne. “So, I guess we have that advantage going into the competition.”
Linda S. Gallaher (Class of 1963), Christopher’s widow, attended the competition and said it means a lot to her to see the next generation of musicians.
“I have so many feelings about it, and I love every one of them for working hard,” said Gallaher. “What we heard today was just wonderful, and they are doing a great job.”
Osborne was recognized at the MSU Celebration of Student Scholarship on April 15.
For more information about the A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Endowment. To contribute to this fund, please contact the MSU Foundation at giving@moreheadstate.edu.
Students interested in competing in the 2027 annual A. Frank and Bethel C. Gallaher Memorial Music Performance Competition may contact Dr. David Oyen, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre, at d.oyen@moreheadstate.edu.