The Fredell Lack Scholarship at Vivace International School of Music
Fredell Lack (1922–2017)
Fredell Lack was an internationally acclaimed American violinist and educator, widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in Houston's classical music community.
Beginning her international concert career as a teenager, she performed at prestigious venues including Town Hall in New York and Carnegie Hall, and recorded Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor with the New York Philharmonic. In 1951, she was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, earning international recognition for her artistry, expressive musicianship, and exceptional teaching.
In 1959, she became a founding faculty member of the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where she taught for more than five decades. Among her distinguished students is Frank Huang, Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. Through both her remarkable performances and her lifelong dedication to teaching, Fredell Lack left an enduring legacy in violin performance and music education.
The Fredell Lack Scholarship
The Fredell Lack Scholarship was established at Vivace International School of Music by Gang Hou, a former student of Fredell Lack, together with his wife, Yuchen Chi, to honor Fredell Lack's lifelong commitment to artistic excellence and music education.
Through their annual gift, Gang Hou and Yuchen Chi support the scholarship in recognition of outstanding student achievement while inspiring future generations of young musicians to pursue excellence with passion, discipline, integrity, and perseverance.
Beginning in 2026, an annual scholarship fund of $1,020 will be awarded to outstanding middle and high school students based on their final rankings in the Texas All-State and Region audition process.
Scholarship Awards
High School Division
Awards are based on each student's final Texas All-State ranking:
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First Place: $220
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Second Place: $200
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Third Place: $180
If fewer than three students qualify for Texas All-State in a given year, or if any award positions remain vacant, recipients will be selected according to their final Region rankings.
Middle School Division
Awards are based on each student's final Region ranking:
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First Place: $160
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Second Place: $140
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Third Place: $120
Administered by Vivace International School of Music, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional musical achievement, artistic growth, dedication, and excellence in performance.
By establishing this scholarship, Gang Hou and Yuchen Chi seek to carry forward Fredell Lack's enduring legacy, encourage young musicians to pursue the highest standards of musical excellence, and inspire them to enrich the lives of others through music.
About the Donors
Gang Hou studied with Fredell Lack and later served as a full-time faculty member of Vivace International School of Music for seven years before retiring. Together with his wife, Yuchen Chi, he established the Fredell Lack Scholarship to honor his teacher's legacy and support the next generation of young musicians.
Through their annual gift, Gang Hou and Yuchen Chi reaffirm their belief that excellent music education has the power to shape lives, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. Their hope is that this scholarship will encourage young musicians to pursue artistic excellence while carrying forward Fredell Lack's lifelong dedication to teaching, mentorship, and the transformative power of music.
Selection Criteria
Recipients are selected annually based on their final rankings in the Texas All-State and Region audition process.
Scholarship awards are determined by Vivace International School of Music in accordance with the published scholarship guidelines.
