Awards & Entries

2023 Essay Contest

Open to Students in ANY type of public or private k-12 school instrumental or vocal program… orchestra, symphony, jazz band, mariachi, wind band, marching band, concert band, modern band, choir, show choir, performing arts choral programs, musical theater performer (instrumental or vocal performance required) and literally any kind of “instrumental” or “vocal” program in your K-12 public or private school.

Tell us about a music teacher who has changed your life. What was it about them that had an impact on you? How did their teaching, personality, or actions differ from other good teachers? (250 Words or Less)

First Name

Last Name

Student Email

Parent/Guardian First Name

Parent/Guardian Last Name

Parent Email

Address

Address 2 if Needed

Consent

City

State

Five-Digit Zip Code

Age

Grade

Primary Instrument or Vocal Study

First Name of Music Teacher/Director

Last Name of Music Teacher/Director

Teacher's Email Address

Name of Public/Private K-12 School

Address

Address 2 if Needed

City

State

Five Digit Zip Code

School Area Code and Phone Number

If you have a favorite music store that supports your music program, please tell us who it is.

City

State

I Have My Parent's Consent to Enter and They and I Agree to the Rules

The SBO/NAMM Foundation Essay Scholarship Contest is open to any student enrolled in a public or private K-12 school sponsored academic instrumental or vocal music program. Private music students and homeschooled students, not enrolled in a public or private K-12 school sponsored academic instrumental or vocal music program are not eligible. Entrants must have a parent or legal guardian permission to enter the competition. All submissions must be original and all entries must follow the rules of the contest. There are no fees to enter this contest. Contest void where prohibited by law. If any taxes are owed from winning any prizes, cash or otherwise, they are the sole responsibility of the recipient winner to report and pay. SBO Magazine and artistpro LLC are not liable for any tax liabilities. Open to residents of the United States of American, and those abroad in the military if the student is enrolled in a school sponsored academic instrumental or vocal music program. Entrants’ parent or legal guardian agree that all submissions may be published in a future issue of School Band and Orchestra Magazine, in their array of publications but digital and print with their students’ name, grade, age, school, and winning submission. SBO Magazine, and artistpro LLC warrants and affirms that no student personal information in any form from submissions will be otherwise disseminated, nor giving, sold, or transferred to sponsors, advertisers, or other third party. The prize for each of the ten winning student essays is $1000.00 US, payable by check or other agreed upon transferred method as agreeable by guardian/parent and artistpro LLC, within 90 days of announcement. Prizes awarded to band directors from sponsors are the sole fulfillment responsibility of the sponsor, who will be contact by each sponsor to arrange fulfillment. SBO Magazine and artistpro LLC are not liable for or responsible directly for fulfillment of sponsor prizes. Sponsors reserve right to substitute prize if they deem necessary, at their sole discretion. It is incumbent on the director to reply to the sponsor fulfillment emails, so be sure to check your junk or spam folders if you have a winning student. Inventory subject to availability. Winning students will provide photo of themselves with their band director, for possible publication use with the essay. You may begin submitting on December 7, 2022. No entries will be accepted after 11PM CENTRAL, April 30, 2023. Online submissions only, no mail in or other submissions. We are not responsible for technical glitches, server issues, connectivity, or any other possible type of issue that may prevent your entry online. Contest entries will be blind-judged by professional educators, writers, musicians, academics, and others at the discretion of artistpro LLC and SBO Magazine. Judges will remain anonymous. All decisions of SBO Magazine and artistpro LLC are final.

Submit Entry and Proceed to 50 Directors Entry

When you successfully submit your entry form, you should be redirected to the "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" entry form, where you may choose to nominate your director for the honor, in an upcoming issue of SBO Magazine. Not required, but they will appreciate it, and so will SBO.