SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships
The Colorado Bandmasters association is constantly looking toward the future of music in our schools and music education. To this end, we have a number of ways that we give back to our members and their students to help perpetuate quality music education in the band programs around the state.
J.L. Gerardi Scholarship
Longtime member Jess Gerardi has generously created a $2,000.00 per year scholarship to be given to one or more deserving high school student(s). This is a one time (per person) award that the student(s) may choose to use any way they need to while attending college. This scholarship may increase (both in amount and number offered) as the endowment grows.
Read more about Dr. Gerardi and his legacy to Colorado bands HERE.
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Criteria for the Scholarship:
- High School Senior must have been a member of their high school band program for their entire time in high school (3 or 4 years depending on the school).
- Student must attend any Colorado College/University as a music major (need not be music ed), and must be a member of the college/university band program while at the school.
- The student's high school band director must be a current member of CBA.
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The J. L. Gerardi Memorial Scholarship application is announced each year at the General Meeting at the CMEA Convention in January and applications become available April 1 each year. Completed applications are due no later than April 30th each year. The scholarship committee (see below) will review all applications in May and the scholarship award will be announced on June 1. The scholarship winner will be presented to the membership and Dr. Gerardi at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet at the CBA Summer Convention held each year in July.
2022 Scholarship Winner, Arjen Wynja
2018 Scholarship Winner, Kathryn Kennedy
CBA Student Teacher Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,250
Please complete the application form and submit by 5pm on April 15. Late applications will not be accepted.
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Who May Apply:
• Residents of Colorado who have attended a college or university in Colorado and majored in instrumental music education.
• Must have student taught in the spring of 2025 (between January and May, 2025) and in a student teaching experience that includes band for at least half of the assignment.
• Must intend to teach K-12 band upon completion of an undergraduate program.
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Selection Process:
Members of the committee will review all applications. Cooperating teachers will be contacted and the committee will determine one recipient for the award. All applicants will receive notification by May 1st, 2025. The scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient. The winner should plan on attending the CBA Summer Convention Banquet on July 17 at Baldoria on the Water.
CBA Scholarship Committee
The CBA Scholarship Committee consists of the Current CBA President, President - Elect, Past President (who serves as the chair), and 3 members at large. The committee is formed for 1 year (Convention to Convention) and is responsible for selecting recipients of the CBA Student Teaching Scholarship and the Jess Gerardi Music Scholarship. If any of the members of the committee have a current student applying for the scholarship, they are asked to remove themselves for that particular scholarship and the Past President will appoint a current CBA member to fill in for that one scholarship.Any member interested in serving on the CBA Scholarship Committee should look over the Scholarship Procedures below and if they feel they can meet all the the obligations let the current Past President know of their interest.
2020 Scholarship Winner, Eunjeong Lee