Scholarship Opportunities

More than $24,000 will be awarded to deserving DCI World and Open Class corps members this year. Qualifying students can apply for the following scholarships which will be presented as part of the 2019 Drum Corps International Tour.

Friends of DCI Scholarship

Since 2007, the Friends of DCI program which is made up of some of DCI's most dedicated supporters has awarded educational funding to Open and World Class corps members. The scholarships are given out each year to students of any major to put toward university tuition and fees.

Up to two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2019 to high school seniors or college students enrolled for courses in the fall of 2019 and who are current members in good standing of an Open or World Class corps competing in the 2019 Drum Corps International Tour.

Submission deadline: May 24, 2019

Apply online

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IN STEP: Women of DCI Scholarship

The IN STEP: Women of DCI program began in January of 2018 to support the participation of women in all facets of Drum Corps International and marching music performing arts, from corps members to staff to leadership. The committee’s charter also supports women by sponsoring events, highlighting women in the activity, providing training, and encouraging policy development consistent with the core values of DCI.

IN STEP: Women of DCI focuses on two primary areas; Participation – Work to assist women to succeed in all aspects of activity throughout the DCI community; and Leadership – Encourage and assist women in rising to roles of influence at every level from participation through administration

At least one $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a current DCI participating female performer, intern or corps staff member who aspires to continue working within the drum corps activity into the future.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Marching Music Health and Wellness Project Scholarship

Since its inception in 2007, the Drum Corps International-sponsored Marching Music Health and Wellness Project (MMHWP) has succeeded in bringing together health care professionals from varied disciplines to provide medical guidance and hands-on assistance to corps members during the DCI Summer Tour.

With an initial focus on injury prevention and treatment, participation in the project has grown from a handful of volunteer contributors to an expansive network of practitioners throughout the United States. The program is now poised to serve an even greater audience of performing arts athletes with development of “best practices” already impacting the marching band activity nationally and internationally with continued research and medical expertise, environmental and other safety areas.

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a current DCI participating performer who aspires to work as a health, wellness or safety practitioner.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to the MMHWP fund

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Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship

As a drum corps judge for more than three decades, the late Rodney Goodhart contributed greatly toward representing percussion during the early beginnings of Drum Corps International. In his memory, the Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship is awarded each summer to a current DCI member corps participant.

This scholarship award of $1,000 may be used by the selected World or Open Class corps member to pay current or next season's drum corps tour fees, university tuition, books or other activity fees.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Scholarship

The late Fred J. Miller was a man of insight and action. In predicting the new and innovative, he always said that his legacy would be "creating the future." Today, the Fred J. Miller Music Education Fund salutes his vision with tomorrow's finest young minds preparing to carry the torch forward.

This scholarship award of $2,000 is available to Open and World Class corps members participating in the DCI Tour. Students must be enrolled in college pursuing music education as their primary degree path, and must submit their applications with their respective corps director's endorsement.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

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George and Patsy Bonfiglio Scholarship

The Bonfiglio Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by the Bonfiglio Family honoring their parents, George and Patsy. One of DCI's founding fathers, George Bonfiglio's love and dedication to the drum corps activity still lives on through the foundation.

The Bonfiglio Foundation awards two $1,000 scholarships each year, one to a person involved in performance arts (e.g. drum corps, winter guard, high school or college band, percussion, piano, dance, theatre, etc.) and one to a person who aspires to become an educator.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019

Learn more

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Gary “Chops” Czapinski Memorial Scholarship

As a longtime visual judge and former drum corps instructor, the late DCI Hall of Fame member Gary Czapinski contributed greatly to innovation and design since the earliest years of DCI history. To this day, Czapinski's visionary approach to visual design can be seen in every niche of the world of the marching arts.

This $1,000 scholarship will be presented to a high school senior or college student who is a members in good standing of a DCI participating Open or World class drum corps, and who intends to teach drum corps, winter guard, or marching band remaining committed to our activity by pursuing a career in music education or the arts.

Submission deadline: June 1, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Drums Along the Mohawk Tour Award

Presented by organizers of the annual DCI Tour event in Rome, New York, the Drums Along the Mohawk Tour Award is open to any World or Open Class corps member who is a resident of New York State.

Applicants, who must be between 14 and 22 years of age, are required to respond to an essay prompt and provide a letter of professional recommendation.

Submission deadline: June 15, 2019

Download application form (PDF)

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Double Beat Percussion Scholarship

Participation in a drum corps requires advanced physical, mental and emotional abilities, and the financial strain can affect all of these, hindering the success of an individual. The Double Beat Percussion Scholarship was started to make the financial commitment easier for the performer. 

This $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a percussionist of a World or Open Class corps member who has at least one additional year of age eligibility left in their junior drum corps career. 

Submission deadline: Friday, June 15, 2019

Download application form (PDF)

Learn more

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Jim Ott Scholarship

Named after the late DCI Hall of Fame member who was a nationally known brass arranger for several different drum corps including the Stockton Commodores, Blue Devils and Spirit of Atlanta, the Jim Ott Scholarship is administered by the San Joaquin Valley, California nonprofit Sponsors of Musical Enrichment (SOME).

This $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a World or Open Class drum corps member who is a graduating high school senior or college student majoring in music.

Submission deadline: July 15, 2019 

Apply Online

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George Zingali Memorial Scholarship

George Zingali, inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 1991, is frequently hailed as a creative genius instrumental in the development of visual design. The George Zingali Memorial Fund was formed soon after Zingali's passing in 1992.

The George Zingali Scholarship, sponsored by the George Zingali Scholarship Committee, is presented to the highest-scoring individual competitor in an individual color guard caption (flag, auxiliary or dance) at the DCI Performer's Showcase (the annual DCI Individual & Ensemble Competition). The award of $1,000 will be presented on behalf of the winner to a school or corps to use toward the winner's university tuition.

Performer's Showcase entry deadline: August 2, 2019 

Learn more (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Al Moffatt Memorial Scholarship

Al Moffatt had a passion for DCI, all drum and bugle corps, and the entire marching music activity. He loved the activity not only for the pageantry and music, but also for the qualities it instills in young people, teaching them to be self-reliant and building good character to carry them through their lives. He loved being with the members and instructors and doing his best to make their show the best it could be.

This $1000 Scholarship is for any active member of the percussion section of a drum corps participating in the 2019 DCI Tour. It can be used to pay current or next season’s corps fees and will be paid by check directly to the corps.

Submission deadline: Friday, June 29, 2019 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Michelle Owens Memorial Scholarship

Michelle Owens loved the pageantry arts and was involved in it since she was a sixth grader at New Hartford High School in New York. She was a color guard member of the Crossmen (1990-1994), and after aging out, went on to teach several drum corps including the Crossmen, Cadets, Troopers and Magic of Orlando. With her infectious smile, her sweet disposition and high spirited personality, Michelle was loved by all. She instantly brought a light and warmth to all she interacted with. Whether she was performing or teaching, she knew how to do it with a positive attitude, encouraging spirit and genuine heart.

This $1,000 annual scholarship will continue her legacy through a color guard member of a current drum corps. It can be used to pay current or next season’s corps fees and will be paid by check directly to the corps.

Submission deadline: Sunday, July 1, 2019

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Marching Arts Education Scholarship

Marching Arts Education is honored to be awarding $3,000 in scholarships to performers marching in a DCI corps in 2019. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to musicians (winds, percussion, drum major) and one $1,000 scholarship from Color Guard EDU will go to a color guard performer. These scholarships are for performers who plan to be marching arts educators.

The marching arts community will vote on the most deserving candidates. Scholarship winners will be selected by combining the outcome of the voting with the selection of the Marching Arts Education Scholarship Panel. All details on the scholarship page.

Applications are due by March 20, 2019.
Round One of voting will begin on April 1 and end on April 17.
Round Two of voting will begin on April 22 and end on April 28.
Winners will be announced on April 29.

Learn more

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Performing Arts Initiative for Students of Color Scholarship

PAISOC will award one $1,000 scholarship and a $500 scholarship to a 2019 DCI or DCA participating student of color to promote diversity through scholarship and programming. The Drum Corps Leadership and Scholarship Program seeks to recognize current and future student leaders of color in the marching arts and broader performing arts world.

This scholarship may be used for the current season’s corps tuition and will be paid by check directly to the corps.

Submission deadline: April 26, 2019

Apply Online