Top marching band scholarships overall
Our editorial team picked these top marching band scholarships based on the reputable organizations, the high awards, and the fact that they are open to a wide number of students. Here are our top 4 picks for marching band scholarships:
- Music For All Foundation Scholarship – $1,000 – $2,000 scholarship for college-bound high school seniors who will pursue a degree in music education and perform at the Bands of America Marching Championships
- Marine Corps and Band Concerto Competition – Awarded to three high school musicians per year, and the top prize comes with the honor of being a guest soloist at the Marine Chamber Orchestra during its upcoming season
- “Creativity Takes Courage” Scholarship for Art Students – Quick-apply exclusive scholarship from Scholarships360 which is awarded to students pursuing any kind of art, be it visual, performance, or music
How to win marching band scholarships
Like any type of scholarship, marching band scholarships are highly competitive. You’ll be competing with a large number of students, and so it’ll be important to make sure that your applications stand out to the reviewers.
Apply marching band to your educational and career goals
One of the best ways to put together a compelling application is to take some time to reflect before you begin writing. Think about what marching band has meant to you, and take it a step further. Try to reflect on the skills and values it has imparted on you, and write them down. Think about anecdotes and lessons learned and jot them all down in an informal way that you can come back to reference.
For example, being on a marching band requires strong teamwork, time management, and leadership skills. Try to emphasize how you’ve honed these skills on marching band, other facets of your life in which you’ve applied them, and ways that you’d like to apply them in the future, be it in college or beyond.
Research the organization
It’s also a good idea to thoroughly review each of the prompts you are responding to in order to ascertain what types of values the organization is looking for in a scholarship recipient. Try looking into the organization’s mission and core values. Once you get an idea of them, write your essays and tailor your resume to suit them.
Essay and application tips
In addition to coming up with good material for your responses, it’s important to know how to structure them in a compelling and concise way. Luckily, we have a whole host of tips and tricks to help you ace your application materials. These include guides on writing an essay about yourself, writing a winning scholarship essay, and tailoring your response to 250 or 500 word limits.
We also understand that sometimes it can be tough to get started or put the finishing touches on your essay. That’s why we have guides on how to start and end scholarship essays! Finally, be sure to check out our guide to responding to the most common scholarship essay prompts. You’re sure to see these prompts throughout your scholarship search.
Expert Perspective
Ann Herbener | Former President of Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling , Director of District Partnerships at MaiaLearning
Resources for marching band students
Marching band students are members of a tight-knit community, both at their schools and beyond. There are many organizations out there that serve as ties between marching band students. They can help you to make connections, earn scholarships, and could even help set you up with a job as a band teacher or playing in a professional band.
Here are a couple of marching band organizations to check out. We have focused on larger-scale organizations but don’t forget to look into regional and local orgs as well!
National Band Association
The National Band Association offers mentorship programs, subscriptions to band publications, and access to a directory of band members across the nation to all its members. Students can join for a discounted rate of $5 per year.
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International produces events for marching bands and offers scholarships to band students. Don’t be fooled by the name – they have opportunities for any instrument in the marching band, not just drums!
School-specific marching band scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships for marching band members. Check out these 5 below! If your dream school is not listed, go to the marching band page on their website and see if they provide scholarship money.
Jan Arthur and Herbert B. Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: University of Bowling Green trumpet players involved in marching band
- Amount: Varies from year to year
- Deadline: Varies (see website for more information)
Lowe Family/Mustang Band Scholarship
- Eligibility: Cal Poly students involved in marching band
- Amount: $500 to $2,400 per year
- Deadline: Varies (see website for more information)
University of South Alabama Marching Band Scholarship
- Eligibility: University of South Alabama students involved in marching band
- Amount: $12,000
- Deadline: March (see website for more information)
North Carolina A&T University Marching Band Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Carolina University students involved in marching band
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: May (see website for more information)
University of Oklahoma Marching Band Scholarship
- Eligibility: University of Oklahoma students involved in marching band
- Amount: Varies year to year
- Deadline: May (see website for more information)
Frequently asked questions about marching band scholarships
Do marching bands give scholarships?
What marching band instrument gets the most scholarships?
Do colleges recruit for marching band?
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