Scholarships & Awards: Stevenson Instrumental Music ProgramCut Time

Annual Instrumental Music Scholarships & Awards

The Stevenson Instrumental Music Department, the Stevenson Band Boosters, and Utica Community Schools join forces to offer students opportunities to earn scholarships and awards each school year.

 

Scholarships:

Awards:


Louis Gonda Memorial Music Scholarship

  • Established to fund opportunities for UCS band students to further their music education
  • Over the years, the Gonda Fund has enabled hundreds of UCS students to attend music camps, take private lessons or otherwise enrich their music study
  • Primary funding source is through admissions at UCS' annual Band-a-Rama Marching Band Show
  • Open to Instrumental Music students in 9th - 11th grades that receive a 1st Division Rating at District Solo & Ensemble Festival
  • 2024 Auditions: Wednesday, February 14, starting at 2:30 PM
  • 2024 Gonda Scholarship Information (pdf)

 

Utica Community Schools - Louis Gonda Scholarship Information 2024

  1. Auditions will take place Wednesdsay, February 14th beginning at 2:30 PM at Utica High School.Students should enter at Door 11 and follow the posted signs. Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a warm up room available for everyone to use prior to your audition. 
  1. There will be a $5.00 audition fee due at the time of your audition. This fee MUST be paid in CASH ONLY.
  1. Each audition will be 3 minutes in lenght. Choose the best 3 minutes of your solo if your solo is longer than three minutes. Because of the short timeframe for each audition, do not expect any feedback from the adjudicator. This is not an indication of a poor audition.
  1. Eligibility:
    • a. Instrumental Music Student’s grades 9-11 are eligible, see section  "c" below.
    • b. Students must continue playing their instrument in the UCS district next year.
    • c. Students must have received a 1st Division rating on their solo at the 2024 High School Solo and Ensemble Festival, and must currently be enrolled in an Instrumental Music class for all of the 2023-2024 school year.
    • d. Previous Gonda scholarship winners are NOT eligible to audition for another Gonda Scholarship.
  1. Piano solos are NOT eligible for the Gonda Scholarship.
  1. You may perform with or without accompaniment. However, please keep in mind that your performance will be enhanced by the use of an accompanist.
  1. Scholarships can be used for summer music camps, marching band camps, or private lessons.
  1. The recipients of the scholarships will be notified the next school day by their director.
  1. Parents, friends, family members, etc. are not allowed in the audition room.

Students auditioning for the Gonda Scholarship represent all UCS high schools and their feeder junior highs.


Craig Ankawi

Craig Ankawi Memorial Scholarship

  • Established in 2011 in memory of the spirit former Stevenson Instrumental Music student Craig Ankawi had for the program. A 2009 SHS graduate, he was tragically taken from this life in June, 2010.
  • Funded as partnership between the Ankawi family and the Stevenson Band Boosters
  • Open to Instrumental Music students in 10th & 11th grades with a GPA of 3.0 or above
  • 2024 application deadline: tba

 

2024 Craig Ankawi Scholarship Information

 

Rules & Eligibility:

  • This $500 scholarship is not based on financial needs, but for the dedicated student in the Instrumental Music Program
  • All applicants must have been involved in the Instrumental Music Program throughout the 2023-24 school year. The recipient must be returning to the program in 2024-25
  • This scholarship is for Stevenson students that are in 10th and 11th grades in 2023-24
  • Students must have at least a 3.00 GPA
  • The scholarship money must be used for music educational purposes such as private lessons/band camps
  • Applications and essays are judged, and the scholarship winner is chosen, by the Ankawi family

 

Requirements:

  1. Due: tba
  2. Write a two-page essay on the following topic:
    • tba 
  3. Include a full resume in your e-mail
  4. Send ALL requirements in ONE complete attachment to this e-mail address: tba
  5. You will receive an e-mail back from the Ankawi family letting you know that your application was received

 

 

Previous Ankawi Scholarship Winners:
2023  Lina Almaflahi 2022  Akaash Mondal
2021  Preston Brockett 2019 Justin Littleton
2018 Julia Daniel 2017 Veronica Pardington
2016 Corbyn McKinley-Piwonski 2015 Michael S. Sekich
2014 Nicholas Holevar 2013 Brittany Bissa
2012 Jackie Kaiser 2011 Rebekah Veit

Dick Copus

Dick 'The Voice' Copus Memorial Scholarship

  • Established in 2020 to honor Mr. Dick Copus, the long-time voice of the Stevenson Marching Band and former Utica Community Schools Board member, the Copus Scholarship rewards students that are fully engaged in the Stevenson Instrumental Music Program
  • Funded as partnership between an anonymous donor and the Stevenson Band Boosters
  • This $500 scholarship is open to Instrumental Music students in 9th, 10th & 11th grades at Stevenson HS and Davis, Heritage, and Jeannette JHS
  • The deadline for 2024 applications is tba
  • Online application link: tba

 

2024 Dick 'The Voice' Scholarship Information

 

Eligibility & Requirements:

  • Applicant must have participated in MSBOA District XVI Solo & Ensemble Festival (Chamber Ensemble participants welcome)
  • Applicant must also have participated in at least ONE of the following MSBOA Events during the current school year:
    • Marching Band Festival
    • Jazz Band Festival
    • Honors Band
    • All-State Band
    • State Solo & Ensemble
    • Musical Pit Band
  • Applicant must be enrolled in an Instrumental Music class for the next upcoming school year (2024-25) at SHS or the VA
  • Applicant must not have previously won an Ankawi, Marinello, or Copus Scholarship
  • Students cannot more than one scholarship in the same year
  • Funds will be eligible to be used towards band expenses such as music camps, private lessons, music/equipment/supplies, and band trips. If a student leaves the Instrumental Music Program for any reason, including graduation, unused scholarship monies revert to the Stevenson Band Boosters

 

Applications:

  • Due: tba
  • Submit an online application at: tba
  • Applicants will complete an online form, being certain to answer the short (no more than three sentences) essay questions
  • Late applications will not be accepted, and duplicate submissions shall be deleted (only one submission allowed per student)

 

Selection:

  • A committee appointed by the Band Director will review the applications to choose the winner
  • In addition to the online application, the committee will consider items such as citizenship, overall GPA, and attendance along with other contributions made to the program

 

Previous Copus Scholarship Winners:
2023  Jalen Toyee 2022  Ashlynn Pennazoli
2021  Sofia Kastelan 2020 Hannah Baran

Frank Marinello

Frank Marinello Memorial Scholarship

  • Established in 2021 to honor the memory of Mr. Frank Marinello, a contributor and mentor to numerous Instrumental Music students, the Marinello Scholarship rewards students that share Frank's vision and passion for music and giving back to the community 
  • Funded as partnership between the Marinello family and the Stevenson Band Boosters
  • This $500 scholarship is open to Instrumental Music students in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades at Stevenson HS
  • The deadline for 2024 applications is tba
  • Online essay submission link tba

Frank Marinello was a man of unconditional love. He was a kind and humble soul that touched the lives of anyone that heard his music, tasted his cooking, or had the joy of sharing a laugh with him.

Frank cherished his beloved wife and son, was faithful to God and country, loyal to family and friends, and saw value and potential in every person. His humble and patient nature made him an extraordinary teacher, and his guitar was always plugged into his heart.

The memories Frank shared with the Stevenson High School Band will never be forgotten and his love of music will live on.

 

2024 Frank Marinello Memorial Scholarship Information

 

Eligibility & Requirements:

  • This $500 scholarship is open to Stevenson Instrumental Music students in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade that are involved in the SHS Music program, including students enrolled in the Virtual Academy. You must be enrolled in Band classes in 2024-25 to accept this scholarship (excluding seniors)
  • Applicant MUST be currently enrolled in an Instrumental Music class
  • Must not be a previous winner of a Copus, Ankawi, or Marinello scholarship
  • You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships
  • Scholarship will be eligible to use towards band expenses such as, private lessons, camps, music equipment etc or furthering your education classes in college

 

Assignment & Applications:

  • Complete a short one page (3-5 paragraphs) essay answering the question: "tba"
  • Due: tba
  • Complete the online form here, be sure to upload your essay as a pdf or Word document: tba
  • Late applications will not be accepted

 

Selection:

  • The winner will be selected from eligible and fully completed applications by the Marinello Family
  • In addition to the application, the Committee will consider citizenship along with other criteria such as those that show a passion for music, those that practices because they love to rather than it being an obligation, those that are kind and patient with others, those who are willing to help and expect nothing in return, and those that bring out the best in others.

 

Previous Marinello Scholarship Winners:
2023  Deema Hasan    
2022  Isabella Bernabei 2021  Tiffany Canup

John Philip Sousa Band Award

Sousa Band Award

The Sousa Award is the pinnacle of achievement in a high school band. Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award® recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.

 

    The John Philip Sousa Band Award® has been presented to the following Stevenson High School students in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit and loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires:
2023 Dillon Warner 2022 Peyton Polzin & Dillon Warner
2021 Kole Micakaj 2020 Seth Pelkey
2019 Veronica Pardington 2018 Keyshawn Spinks
2017 Michael S. Sekich 2016 Paige Broadworth & Carter Jacobs
2015 Stevenson Band Member 2014 Stevenson Band Member
2013 Maggie Stangis 2012 Stevenson Band Member
2011 Stevenson Band Member 2010 Isaac Boehnlein
2009 Jessica Pearson 2008 Trevor Critchett
2007 Brent Ogden 2006 Matt Stelzer
2005 Jeremy Hardy 2004 Stevenson Band Member
2003 Sakina Ali 2002 Keenan Thomason
2001 Diana Semma 2000 Ryan Baroli
1999 Aaron Pode 1998 Jaime Pappert
1997 Laura Dick 1996 Mike Sauer
1995 Rob Meier 1994 Veronica Hutton
1993 Chad Pickle 1992 Jason Heggemeyer
1991 Diana Commisso 1990 Dave Visnaw
1989 Joe Rice 1988 Susan Commisso
1987 Susan Childs 1986 Edward Carr
1985 Ken Cady 1984 Susan Stroker
1983 Judy Cole 1982 Karen Ann Lach
1981 Diane Shamley 1980 Robert T. Stroker
1979 Tom Larwa 1978 Dominic Leo
1977 Annette Boshaw 1976 Roger Snitchler
In Memory of Tim Huggins - 1975

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Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

Armstrong Jazz Award

The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award® was inaugurated in 1974 with the consent of his widow shortly after this great jazz artist died in 1971. It honors the outstanding jazz musician at each high school.

 

    The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award® has been presented to the following Stevenson High School students in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of jazz as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character, and individual creativity:
2023 Braden Cook & Jimmy Esho 2022 Bradford Shelton
2021 Noah Polston 2020 Justin Littleton
2019 Alyssa Carnes 2018 Parker Jacobs
2017 Christopher Marinello 2016 Griffin Anspach & Nicholas Tedesco
2015 Stevenson Jazz Musician 2014 Stevenson Jazz Musician
2013 Josh Fretenborough 2012 Stevenson Jazz Musician
2011 Stevenson Jazz Musician 2010 Stevenson Jazz Musician
2009 Monica Yousif 2008 Stevenson Jazz Musician
2007 Stevenson Jazz Musician 2006 Chad Shirk
2005 Mike Tomei 2004 Stevenson Jazz Musician
2003 Stevenson Jazz Musician 2002 Brad Harrison
2001 Stevenson Jazz Musician 2000 Stevenson Jazz Musician
1999 Stevenson Jazz Musician 1998 Stevenson Jazz Musician
1997 Stevenson Jazz Musician 1996 Stevenson Jazz Musician
1995 Stevenson Jazz Musician 1994 Gary Franks
1993 Trevor Pickle 1992 Mark Wisniewski
1991 Devon Rutherford 1990 Brian Logsdon
1989 Steve Daoust 1988 Glenn Cowelchuk
1987 Glen Flowers 1986 Brian McDonald
1985 Louis Lucido 1984 Michael D. Sekich

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Updated  June 18, 2023