“Learning Music Is More Than A Class At School It Also…” was the theme of SCHOOL BAND AND ORCHESTRA’S 16TH annual scholarship essay contest. Several thousand entries were submitted as students competed for ten, $1,000 scholarships. The awards were given to five students grades 4 to 8 and five students grades 9 to 12. Their respective school music programs received a matching award of music products from co-sponsors NAMM, Alfred Music Publishing, EPN Travel Services, Sabian Ltd. Woodwind & Brasswind and Yamaha Corporation of America.
Since its inception the scholarship program has awarded $320,000 in funds and matching music products to the winners and their schools. Two students from the state of Florida were winners. Other states represented include California, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The music students received their scholarship awards from local music dealers representing NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) a major co-sponsor of the program. Participating music dealers included Island Music, Merritt Island, FL.; Bringe Music, St. Petersburg, FL.; Mississippi Music, Hattiesburg, MS.; Tulsa Band, Tulsa OK and Murphy’s Music Center, Irving, TX. Music and Arts stores located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Jonesboro, Ga, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, Wellford SC and Williamsburg, VA were also represented.
16 Years, 80,000 Entries, $320,000 Awards
SBO’s Scholarship Essay Contest
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The winning students and their school music programs and teachers in the 4 to 8th grade category include Charla Gentry, D.R. Hill Middle School, Wellford, SC, Meredith Pendley, Music Director; Cindy Jia, Ridgely Middle School, Timonium, MD, Susan Wilson, Music Director; Gayda Mohamed, Sam Houston Middle School, Irving, TX, Justin Thomas, Music Director; Jayvyn Price, Mundy’s Mill Middle School, Jonesboro, GA, Heather Coleman, Music Director; Christine Trieu, Summit Intermediate Middle School, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Jonathan Peske, Music Director. In the 9th to 12th grade category winners were Rand Perry, Bruton High School, Williamsburg, VA, Cara Townsend, Music Director; Logan Robertson, Collinsville High School, Collinsville, OK, Rod Mackey, Music Director;Gianna Santucci, Merritt Island High School, Merritt Island, FL, Benjamin Gerrard, Music Director, Chelsea Kendyl Schol, J W Mitchell High School, Trinity, FL, Joel Quina, Music Director and Haley Beth Williams, Park Place Christian Academy, Raymond, MS, Brad Brand, Music Director.
Above: Sam Tritico, owner of Island Music, Merritt Island, FL presents $1,000 scholarship check to senior Gianna Santucci, Merritt Island High School.
Gianna was one of ten students who were awarded scholarships for their prize winning essays in the SCHOOL BAND AND ORCHESTRA contest, “Learning Music Is More Than A Class At School…” This is the 16th year that SBO has awarded scholarships totaling $320,000 in scholarship funds and matching music product to the student’s school music programs. The scholarship program is co-sponsored by NAMM, Alfred Music Publishing, EPN Travel Services, Sabian Ltd., Woodwind & Brasswind and Yamaha Corporation of America.
Grades 4-8
Charla Gentry
Grade 8
Age 13
Meredith Pendley, Music Director
D.R. Hill Middle School
Cindy Jia
Grade 8
Age 13
Susan Wilson, Music Director
Ridgely Middle School
Gayda Mohamed
Grade 7
Age 13
Justin Thomas, Music Director
Sam Houston Middle School
Jayvyn Price
Grade 7
Age 12
Heather Coleman, Music Director
Mundy’s Mill Middle School
Christine Trieu
Grade 8
Age 13
Music Director, Jonathan Peske
Summit Intermediate School
Grades 9 -12
Rand Perry
Grade 10
Age 15
Cara Townsend, Music Director
Bruton High School
Logan Robertson
Grade 12
Age 18
Rod Mackey, Music Director
Collinsville High School
Gianna Santucci
Grade 12
Age 18
Benjamin Gerrard, Music Director
Merritt Island High School
Chelsea Kendyl Schol
Grade 12
Age 17
Music Director, Joel Quina
J W Mitchell High School
Haley Beth Williams
Grade 12
Age 16
Music Director, Brad Brand
Park Place Christian Academy
