Essay Contest

The 2024 SBO+ Essay Contest, sponsored by NAMM Foundation, Alfred, MakeMusic, Sweetwater, Hal Leonard, Yamaha, Focusrite, and Adam Audio is...

Thanks to our generous sponsors Casio, Alfred Music Publishing, MakeMusic, Yamaha Corporation of America, Hal Leonard, NAMM Foundation, Focusrite and...

For the first time ever, the SBO+ Essay Contest is open to instrumental and vocal students across the USA! With...

As I settled in to read nearly 4,000 essays, little did I know the experience I was in for. Nearly...

Open to Students in ANY type of public or private k-12 school instrumental “band” program… orchestra, symphony, jazz band, mariachi,...

We received nearly 2,000 entries for the 21st annual SBO Essay Contest asking students to answer, “How has playing an...

Answer this essay question:"How has playing an instrument changed for you during the pandemic?"Click Here to Enter

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2020 SBO Essay Scholarship winners, their teachers and winning school programs! This year’s theme was “How does...

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2020 SBO Essay Scholarship winners, their teachers and winning school programs! This year’s theme was “How does...

Every year, we at SBO magazine keep our eyes (and ears!) peeled for the next great voices of the newest...

Congratulations to the 2019 SBO essay contest winners and their school music programs. This year’s essay question: “What role had...

Thank you to all the students who participated in the 19th annual School Band and Orchestra Essay Contest. The contest...