Louis Gonda Scholarship Auditions will take place after school on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at Utica High School. More details below:
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
- 2025 Auditions: February 5, 3 - 5 PM @ Utica HS
- Audition Info and Letter of Intention Form (downloadable pdf)
Utica Community Schools - Louis Gonda Scholarship Information 2025
- Auditions will take place on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 from 3:00 – 5:00pm 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. Auditioning students need to bring the Gonda Scholarship Letter of Intention filled out and signed to the audition.
- There will be a $5.00 audition fee due at the time of your audition. This fee MUST be paid in CASH ONLY.
- 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.
- 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 2024 High School Solo & Ensemble Festival and must be enrolled in a current Instrumental Music class for all of the 2024-25 school year.
d. Previous Gonda scholarship winners are NOT eligible to audition for the Gonda scholarship.
- Piano solos are NOT eligible for the Gonda scholarship.
- You may perform with or without accompaniment. However, please keep in mind that your performance will be enhanced by the use of accompaniment.
- Scholarships can be used for summer music camps, marching band camps, or private lessons.
- The recipients of the scholarships will be notified the next school day by their directors.
- 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.
Audition Info and Letter of Intention Form (downloadable pdf)