Every year we award scholarships to music students in our area to attend various music summer camps in Michigan. We hope our assistance helps them reach their goals in the musical profession of their choice.  We are happy to be able to continue this program for the youth in our community.

The scholarships for 2011 were awarded during our concert on May 3. These students were featured soloists in our May 3 and October 25 concerts.

2011 Scholarship Winners

Melissa Westran is in the 11th grade at Bay City Central High School. She started playing saxophone in the fifth grade. Since then, she has been perfecting her talent by playing in Central’s jazz bands, wind symphony and marching band, as well as the All Bay Area Jazz Band. She also assists with Handy’s jazz band every week. Melissa plans to refurbish her instrument with her scholarship money. “Music is a part of me. I wouldn’t be able to express in words how much I love it, and I’ll never stop playing.”

Zachary Barber is in the 9th grade at Bay City Central High School and plays saxophone with Central’s wind symphony and jazz band. He also plays steel drums with the Bay City Steelers.  Zach was invited to tour Europe with Blue Lake’s Southern Winds in the summer of 2010, and he plans to use his scholarship to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer. He is a student of Vickie Bowden.

Each of the award recipients has already accomplished a great deal in music. We wish our promising composers, professional musicians and music instructors the best and hope all their dreams come true.

2012 Scholarship Applications

Encourage your students to apply this season!  Students, if you would like to be considered for a scholarship for 2012, please contact your school band director now for an application and details. Scholarship auditions are scheduled to take place  February 29, 2012, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bay City. 

Students must submit signed Letters of Recommendation from their band directors. Students may attach them to their applications or request their band directors and/or private teachers to e-mail them directly to David Selley, Director of Education and Scholarships. If band directors choose to e-mail their letters of recommendations, please be sure to enter the student’s name in the Subject Field of the e-mail message. Thank you very much.