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
• Isabella Amma Memorial Scholarship

Awards:

• John Philip Sousa Award
• Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

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Utica Community Schools - Louis Gonda Scholarship Information 2027

1. Auditions will take place on early in 2027 (usually February) at a location to be announced. 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. Auditioning students need to bring the Gonda Scholarship Letter of Intention filled out and signed to the audition.

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

3. Each audition will be 3 minutes in length. Choose the best 3 minutes of your solo if your solo is longer than 3 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.

4. Eligibility:
   a. Instrumental Music students in Grade 9 – 11 are eligible; see section C below.
   b. Students MUST continue playing their instrument in the UCS next school year.
   c. Students must have received a 1st Division rating on their solo at the 2026 High School Solo & Ensemble Festival and must be enrolled in a current Instrumental Music class for all of the 2026-27 school year.
   d. Previous Gonda scholarship winners are NOT eligible to audition for the Gonda scholarship.

5. Piano solos are NOT eligible for the Gonda scholarship.

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

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

8. The recipients of the scholarships will be notified the next school day by their directors.

9. 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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2027 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 2026-27 school year. The recipient must be returning to the program in 2027-28
• This scholarship is for Stevenson students that are in 10th and 11th grades in 2026-27
• 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
• Must not be a previous winner of an Ankawi, Copus, Marinello, Sekich, or Amma scholarship
• You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships
• Applications and essays are judged and the scholarship winner is chosen by the Ankawi family

 

Requirements:

1. Due: TBA, 2027
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: vlankawi@yahoo.com
5. You will receive an e-mail back from the Ankawi family letting you know that your application was received

 

 

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2027 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
  • CMU Jazz Weekend
  • State 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 (2027-28) at SHS
• 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
• Must not be a previous winner of an Ankawi, Copus, Marinello, Sekich, or Amma scholarship
• You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships

 

Applications:

• Due: TBA, 2027
• Submit an online application at: TBA
• Applicants will complete an online form, being certain to answer the short questions on the form
• Late applications will not be accepted

 

Selection:

• The Austerman family will review the applications to choose the winner

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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.

2027 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
• Scholarship will be eligible to use towards band expenses such as, private lessons, camps, music equipment etc or furthering your education classes in college
• Must not be a previous winner of an Ankawi, Copus, Marinello, Sekich, or Amma scholarship
• You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships

 

Assignment & Applications:

• Complete a short one page (3-5 paragraphs) essay answering the question: TBA
• Due: TBA, 2027
• 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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2027 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.
• Must be pursuing a career in Education in college/university.
• Must have a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average.
• Must be currently enrolled in a Band Class.

 

Assignment & Applications:

• Complete and submit a one-page essay. Please choose one of the following topics: TBA

• Due: TBA, 2027

• Submit your essay (Word or PDF attachment preferred) to: sekichm@gmail.com

• Late applications will not be accepted

 

Selection:

• The winner will be selected by the Sekich family

 

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Izzy Amma was a great friend and mentor to her younger classmates and low brass peers. Her joy and love for the band inspired so many people around her to be stronger and to be their true selves.

2027 Isabella Amma Scholarship Information

 

Eligibility & Requirements:

• 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 2026-27 school year
• This scholarship is for any students that participated in the Stevenson Marching Band that are currently in 9th-12th grades in 2026-27
• Any recipient in grades 9-11 must use the scholarship money for music educational purposes such as private lessons/band camps
• 12th grade applicants must provide proof of college/university admittance upon your selection for this scholarship
• Must not be a previous winner of an Ankawi, Copus, Marinello, Sekich, or Amma scholarship
• You are welcome to apply for but will not win multiple scholarships

 

Assignment & Applications:

• Write a one-page essay on the following topic:
  • Provide examples of positive mentor-mentee interactions you’ve witnessed or experienced in the Stevenson Marching Band program
  • How can these relationships benefit both the mentor and the mentee in a band setting?
  • What actions can you take to become a positive mentor for future students?
• Due: TBA, 2027
• Submit your essay via e-mail as a Word or PDF attachment with subject line “Amma Scholarship” to this address: rourkew@gmail.com. Please include your name and grade
• You will receive an e-mail back from the Rourke family letting you know that your application was received
• Late applications will not be accepted

 

Selection:

• Applications and essays are judged and the scholarship winner is chosen by former band parent / Booster President Sarah Rice and the Rourke family

 

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Updated  May 15, 2026

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