Scholarships | The BCB

Student Scholarship Program

The BCB continues to support lifelong learning in our community by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Since the student scholarship program was established in 1979, the BCB has awarded over $100,000!

Each scholarship applicant must play a concert band instrument (woodwind, brass, or percussion), and is asked to submit a video audition, a letter of recommendation, and a written statement explaining why they deserve to win the respective scholarship.

Students can receive up to $2,000 in scholarship monies to help support the cost of a summer music camp and/or private lessons.

There are three different scholarships available based on the student's grade level:

Rob Olson Honorary Scholarship - grades 1-8
- Rob Olson is a charter member of the BCB who has been playing trumpet with the band since its very first concert in Shain Park in August 1977. Rob was also the leader of the BCB's Straw Hat Band (now the BCB Entertainers), a subset of the BCB, which played concerts for hire and contributed the proceeds to BCB's student scholarship program.

Dave Falvay Honorary Scholarship - grades 9-10
- Dave Falvay was a founding member of the BCB in 1977 and an accomplished
  trombone player. Dave also started BCB's Straw Hat Band (now the BCB Entertainers), a subset of the BCB, which played concerts for hire and contribute the proceeds to BCB's student scholarship program.

Grant Hoemke Honorary Scholarship - grades 11-12
- Grant Hoemke served for 33 years as the Music Director and Conductor of the BCB and is now the Music Director Emeritus. A talented musician, Grant plays both bass clarinet and French horn with the BCB and is the band's Librarian.

Scholarship applications are usually available in January and due in March. Students who are selected as the recipients are then expected to attend the Spring Concert (normally on a Sunday in April).

**If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to the Student Scholarship Committee Chair, Stephanie Karisny, at skarisny@birminghamconcertband.com.

Applications for 2025 are now closed. If you are interested in applying for the 2026 year, please look for a new application packet, which will be available in early 2026.