Freshman Students

Leath Memorial Scholarships were established in 1988 by the late Wilbur T. Leath , band alumnus Class of 1928, to provide musical scholarships for Indiana residents attending Purdue University and participating as an instrumentalist in any of the ensembles within the Department of Bands & Orchestras. To apply you must be a freshman or incoming undergraduate student from Indiana. Recipients are chosen from musical auditions held in February of their senior year in high school. The awards are $1,000, with 12 to 15 awards given annually. To download an application click on the link above.

Auxiliaries

June and Jerry Lauer "Golden Girl" Scholarship endowment was established by former Purdue "Golden Girl" June Lauer and her husband Jerry. The recipient must go through the appropriate audition process for "Golden Girl" and follow performance guidelines established by University Bands. Auditions are held in April each year.

Lisa Ross Todd "Girl in Black" Scholarship endowment was established by former Purdue "Girl in Black" Lisa Ross Todd. The recipient must go through the appropriate audition process for "Girl in Black" and must follow the performance guidelines established by University Bands. Auditions are held in April each year.

Twirling Line Scholarship will be used at the discretion of the Director of Bands. Selection may be based on academic merit, financial need, or both. The Purdue Band Faculty as well as the Director of Bands will choose the recipient(s).

Black and Gold Legacy Scholarships were established by an anonymous donor who has been in the band family for over a decade. Two recipients will receive this scholarship and they must be involved with the Golduster Dance Team or the Golden Silks Color Guard.

Drum Majors & Chief of Staff

Mike Allen "Drum Major" Scholarship endowment was established by Michael Allen, former Drum Major at Purdue University and his wife Jo Ann. Income from this endowment will be used for an annual scholarship for the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band drum majors. Recipients must go through the appropriate audition process and follow the performance guidelines established by University Bands. Auditions are held at the end of the spring semester with the award given for the following fall and spring.

The Kohl Scholarship for Chief of Staff and Drum Majors was established in 2002 by Richard and Mary Kohl and James Kohl (Former Drum Major Purdue "All-American" Marching Band). One-half of the income from the endowment will be awarded to and used by undergraduate students selected by University Bands as the chief of staff and drum majors. The awards will be made at the beginning of the academic year and are renewable.

Student Offices/Office Heads

In memory of David M. Martin, a 1983 Purdue College of Science graduate and former member of the "All-American" Marching Band, his family established a scholarship in his name in 2002. It is awarded to a student in University Bands who is a member of Operations Office. The Director of University Bands, or the Director's designee, will select the recipient or recipients, with the approval of the Vice President for Student Services. Selection will be based on academic merit and/or service to University Bands through work in Operations, and/or on financial need as determined by the University's Division of Financial Aid.

Herbert and Janice Wilson "Band Student Leader" Scholarships will be awarded to the Office Heads of the various student run offices in University Bands as well as the drum majors of the "All-American" Marching Band. Student offices include Records & Recruitment, Library, Operations, Supply, Clothing and Advancement. Students must fulfill the requirements of the position sought and must go through the selection process outlined in the University Bands' Handbook.

"All American" Marching Band

Tom Miller "All American" Marching Band Scholarship was established in 2004, by alumnus Tom Miller (Electrical and Computer Engineering 1965). The Miller Scholarship which is awarded annually, is designed to provide all or a significant portion of the recipient's university-estimated standard cost of education (tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, travel, miscellaneous, and personal expenses)  for an academic year, including summer school. In establishing the scholarship, Mr. Miller wanted to recognize the efforts of an enthusiastic and dedicated marching band member, a member who directly contributes to keeping the band's spirits high. The scholarship is specifically for an upperclassman - someone who is returning for his or her junior or senior year. Graduate students participating in the "All-American" Marching Band are also eligible to receive the scholarship. The Director of University Bands, or the Director's designee, will select the recipient with the approval of the Vice President for Student Services. Academic merit and/or financial need may be considered in the selection process.

The Karen Steinhoff Price (BS/IM 1983) Memorial Scholarship was established by the family of the late Karen Steinhoff Price in her memory and honor.  It was Karen Steinhoff who convinced the director of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band to add piccolos to the ranks of the band in 1979.  She led and organized the section which still exists today.  Karen passed away in 2000, three days before her 39th birthday, after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The recipient will be a member of the "All American" Marching Band Woodwind Section.  He or she must also maintain a GPA of 2.5 and must have participated in a high school marching band for two years including their senior year.

Boiler Brass

The John Ryan Scholarship is an annual award made to a Boiler Brass member making an outstanding contribution to the band program. The scholarship was established by Dr. John W. Ryan, President Emeritus of Indiana University.

Jazz Band

The Martin/Dodd Jazz Scholarship, established by Marshall and Berdine Martin and Paul and Melanie Dodd, provides scholarships for undergraduate members jazz bands and/or American Music Review. Marshall Martin serves as President of the Purdue Bands Advisory Board, and Paul and Melanie (Martin) Dodd were former members of the Purdue Jazz Band. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of financial need, academic merit, musical excellence and leadership ability.

Leo and Kathleen Berger Jazz Band Scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit as defined by the Director of Bands and financial need determined by the Department of Financial Aid. Director of Bands will select the recipient along with the suggestions of the Director of Jazz Bands. Graduate students involved with the Jazz Band are eligible.

The Jazz Band Scholarship was established by a group of generous Purdue Jazz Band Alumni to support jazz on campus. One scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding upperclassman in the Purdue Jazz Band. The recipient must go through the appropriate jazz audition procedure. He/she will be selected by the director of jazz studies with the assistance of the band faculty.

Orchestra

An endowment was created in 2006 to award the Purdue Orchestra Scholarship. Resources for the endowment were generated by the highly successful Purdue Symphony Circle Theater concert program which started in February of 2003. The recipient must be a member of the Purdue Symphony Orchestra during the year of the award. He/she will be selected by the director of the Purdue Symphony with assistance of the Purdue Band Faculty.

Leadership & Talent

The Lillian and R.B. Stewart Band Scholarship is an annual award made to a Symphonic Band, Orchestra or Jazz Band member who is making an outstanding contribution to the band program. The scholarship was established by the late Dr. Stewart and his wife.

Financial Need

The R. Owen Severence Scholarship is given annually to three undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of University Bands who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Division of Financial Aid. Students will be required to maintain a minimum grade point average as determined by the Financial Aid office for scholarship purposes. Incoming freshman are not eligible.

Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma

The Charles Hass Memorial Scholarship goes to a junior or senior leader in the band program who is a member in good standing of Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma, and who exhibits Hass' enthusiasm for university bands and his intellectual curiosity. The non-renewable scholarship, established by his family and friends, is not based on grade point index or financial need. Interested students submit an essay on a designated topic. Selection will be made by the Director of Bands with the assistance of the band faculty, and awarded annually.

Music & Engineering

Herbert and Janice Wilson "Band Students in Engineering" Scholarships are annually awarded to five engineering students. Recipients must be juniors or seniors in the School of Engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, and must have a record of participation within the Department of University Bands. Students must also commit to enrolling in a Purdue bands ensemble during the year of the award. The application must include a petition outlining the student's qualifications and be accompanied by a current transcript.

Indiana Residents Only

Robert and Trudy Hull Band Woodwind Scholarship was established for an in-state student who plays a woodwind instrument. Mr. Hull, a Purdue Band Alum, played woodwind instruments during his time in the band. Selection for this scholarship is up to the discretion of the Director of Bands.

Other Scholarships/Awards

Jesse O. Ballard Band Scholarship was established by Tom Lester in honor of his father in law, Jesse Ballard. Jesse Ballard had some great experiences in the band and was on hand for some of the most famous historical moments in Purdue Marching Band history during his four years (1935-1939). One prominent historical moment Jesse was involved in includes the light show at Northwestern when CBS Network's radio announcer stated "this is a real All American Band". Ever since that day in 1935, we have been considered the "All American" Marching Band.

David Foertsch Memorial Brass Award is presented annually to an outstanding brass player in the Wind Ensemble. Selection will be made by the Director of Bands as well as the Purdue Band Faculty.

Richard and Connie Grace Woodwind Award is used to provide two awards annually. One should be given to an outstanding woodwind player in the "All American" Marching Band as well as the Wind Ensemble. The award shall be given to promote and reward music excellence to encourage leadership and service in the respective woodwind sections of each group.

Maxine Lefever Outstanding Percussionist Award is an annual award given to the outstanding percussionist. The recipient will be chosen by the band staff with the help of the percussion staff.

Al and Gladys Wright Hall of Fame Award is given to one recipient who is a graduating senior enrolled in Bands. The recipient will be chosen if they have been enrolled in the band program for a minimum of six semesters including three semesters as an "All American" Marching Band student. The student must demonstrate musical talent in concert band activities and superb skill in marching band performances.

Paul Towner Outstanding Percussionist Award is given to a junior or senior trombonist who has been in the band for at least two years. The recipient must have demonstrated leadership skills, musicianship, and contributed to the spirit of the "All American" Marching Band. The student will be nominated by the trombone section and the final decision will be made by the director of bands.
Lynn Michelle LeMay Memorial Flute Award shall be presented annually to an outstanding flutist who holds one of the top chairs in the honors band and has demonstrated qualities of leadership as well. Selection will be determined by the Director of the Purdue Senior High School Summer Music Camp.

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