Scholarships & Awards: Stevenson Instrumental Music Program

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:

• Louis Gonda Memorial Music Scholarship
• Craig Ankawi Memorial Scholarship
• Dick Copus Memorial Scholarship
• Frank Marinello Memorial Scholarship
• Amy & Michael Sekich Educational Music Scholarship

Awards:

• John Philip Sousa Award
• Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

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Utica Community Schools - Louis Gonda Scholarship Information 2025

1. Auditions will take place (TBA) at (TBA). 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. 

2. There will be an audition fee of TBA due at the time of your audition. This fee MUST be paid in CASH ONLY.

4. Each audition will be 3 minutes in length. Choose the best 3 minutes of your solo if your solo is longer than three minutes. Because of the short time frame for each audition, do not expect any feedback from the adjudicator. This is not an indication of a poor audition.

5. Eligibility:
   • a. Instrumental Music Students 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 2025 High School Solo and Ensemble Festival, and must currently be enrolled in an Instrumental Music class for all of the 2024-2025 school year.
   • d. Previous Gonda scholarship winners are NOT eligible to audition for another Gonda Scholarship.

6. Piano solos are NOT eligible for the Gonda Scholarship.

7. You may perform with or without accompaniment. However, please keep in mind that your performance will be enhanced by the use of an accompanist.

8. Scholarships can be used for summer music camps, marching band camps, or private lessons.

9. The recipients of the scholarships will be notified the next school day by their director.

10. 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.

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2025 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 2024-25 school year. The recipient must be returning to the program in 2025-26
• This scholarship is for Stevenson students that are in 10th and 11th grades in 2024-25
• 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

 

 

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2025 Dick Copus Scholarship Information

 

Eligibility & Requirements:

• Applicant must have participated in MSBOA District XVI Solo & Ensemble Festival (Chamber Ensemble participants welcome)
• In addition to District S&E, applicant must also have participated in at least ONE of the following events/activities during the current school year:
  • Marching Band Festival
  • District Band & Orchestra 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 (2025-26) at SHS
• Applicant must not have previously won an Ankawi, Marinello, or Copus Scholarship
• Students cannot be awarded 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 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

 

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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.

2025 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. You must be enrolled in Band classes in 2025-26 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.

 

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2025 Amy & Michael Educational Music Scholarship Information

 

Eligibility & Requirements:

• This $500 scholarship is open to Stevenson Instrumental Music students in 12th grade that have been accepted into college/university. Proof of admittance must be provided upon your selection for this scholarship.
• Applicant must be pursuing either a degree in Musical Performance/Education or becoming a classroom teacher (K-12 or university)
• You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships

 

Assignment & Applications:

• Complete a one-page essay answering these questions: Why did choose the college you will be attending and what are your goals? How do you plan to give back to education? What is a character trait you have learned while in band at Stevenson?
• Due: TBA
• Submit your essay to: TBA
• Late applications will not be accepted

 

Selection:

• The winner will be selected by the Sekich family

 

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Updated  May 26, 2024

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