The scholarship was set up by Anderson's wife, Linda, who had heard about the university's prestigious jazz program from friends.

"I am so pleased that Chuck will be honored in this very special way. He would have really enjoyed the idea of helping young people pursue their careers in music," she said.

William Toutant, dean of Northridge's College of Arts, Media, and Communication, said the university was honored that Linda Anderson chose to pay tribute to her husband's memory by establishing the scholarship at CSUN.

"This scholarship is a tribute to the stature of our jazz program and will assist deserving students in getting excellent training," he said. "We're very grateful to Mrs. Anderson."

Chuck Anderson, who is credited with helping revolutionize mariachi music with his arrangements for such performers as Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal, died in 1998 at age 66.

Anderson's musical innovation involved treating the guitar and the higher pitched five-string vihuelaas one continuous instrument. Traditionally, both instruments played the same chord. Anderson wrote different chords for each, recorded them simultaneously and then double-tracked the recording for a richer sound.

Anderson's career began in 1956, when, as a Hollywood studio musician, he was signed as a trombonist by famed Mexican bandleader Luis Arcaraz.

Within a year, Anderson was arranging for Arcaraz and many other popular Mexican orchestras. Anderson was soon working as a composer and arranger for Mexican radio, television and motion pictures.

In 1960, having earned a degree in Latin American studies at Mexico City College, Anderson was hired by CBS Records as its general manager in Mexico.

Hundreds of Mexican recordings from the 1960s and 1970s bear Anderson's credit line. He worked with such performers as Javier Solis, Enrique Guzman, Los Hermanos Carrion, Armando Manzanero, Cesar Costa and Angelica Maria.

He also continued to perform with his own orchestra for several years. In addition to CBS, Anderson also produced and arranged music for A&M Records in Hollywood. There, his work appeared on such albums as "The Sandpipers En Espanol," "The London Stereo Strings," "Simpatico," "Akira Fuse/Burt Bacharach" and "Percy Faith and His Orchestra."

Over the years, Anderson also worked as an arranger and producer for such performers as Juan Gabriel, Rocio Durcal, Paloma san Basilio, Alvaro Torres, Vicki Carr, Marco Antonio Solis, Pandora and Estela Nunez.

Anderson was honored with the Mexican National Television Award and the Heroldo de Mexico'sMost Outstanding Director award.

Linda Anderson said she hoped that people who appreciated her husband's contributions to the music industry will make additional donations to the scholarship fund at CSUN.

"Whether it's a small or large gift, every contribution is vital and deeply appreciated as we celebrate Chuck's life and his love of music," she said.

Tax deductible contributions should be made out to CSUN Foundation and sent to the College of Arts, Media, and Communication, Charles "Chuck" R. Anderson Memorial Scholarship, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330-8236.

For more information about the scholarship, call Michele Cesca at (818) 677-3320.