Scholarship Information

Incoming Freshman in Band & Orchestra

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 University Bands. Recipients must be first year, undergraduate residents of Indiana , and members of a Purdue Band ensemble, with a minimum high school GPA of 2.50. Recipients chosen from musical auditions. The awards are $1,000, with 12 to 15 awards given annually. Incoming freshman audition in February of their senior year in high school. To obtain an application call (765) 494-0770 or visit www.purdue.edu/BANDS

Marching Band

In 2004, "All-American" Marching Band alumnus Tom Miller (Electrical and Computer Engineering 1965) created a significant scholarship for the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band. The Miller Scholarship, 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.

Drum Majors

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.

Chief of Staff/Drum Majors

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.

Twirling

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.

Jazz

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.

A group of generous Purdue Jazz Band alumni endowed a Jazz Band Scholarship 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 Symphony 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.

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. Application deadline is February 15.

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. Application deadline is February 15. Incoming freshman are not eligible.

Operations

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.

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 . The deadline for application is February 15.

Student Leaders

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 Outreach. Students must fulfill the requirements of the position sought and must go through the selection process outlined in the University Bands' Handbook.

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. The deadline for application is February 15.

Special for Seniors

A limited number of Leath Memorial Scholarships are awarded each spring to undergraduate residents of Indiana who have served the Purdue Band for three years and are continuing in the fourth year. The Leath Scholarships were established in 1988 by the late Wilbur T. Leath, band alumnus of the Class of 1928, to benefit Indiana band and orchestra students attending Purdue University .

Band Fraternities

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 in November.