DCI Scholarship Opportunities

More than $56,000 in scholarship funds were awarded in 2022 to deserving DCI World Class, DCI Open Class, and SoundSport team members, enrolled and participating in summer programming.

Updated scholarship opportunities for those participating in the 2023 Drum Corps International Tour will be posted in the coming months.

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Gail Schultz International Fellowship

In memory of longtime Blue Devils supporter Gail Schultz, BD Performing arts and the Schultz family have established the Gail Schultz International Fellowship which will help non-U.S. citizens offset participation costs and achieve their dreams of joining a U.S.-based junior drum and bugle corps of their choice.

2023 submission deadline: February 1, 2023

Learn more

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Marching Arts Education Scholarships

Marching Arts Education is the premier site for professional development in the marching arts, giving access to top marching arts professionals through live webinars, podcasts, coursework and interviews.

Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to performers in a DCI corps in any caption during the summer of 2022.

Submission deadline: March 29, 2022

Apply online

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Musicians Making A Difference Scholarship

Pearl’s "Musicians Making A Difference" college scholarship initiative will award two high school musicians who have demonstrated the ability to change themselves, their community, and those around them. The scholarship's aim is to reward and inspire the youth who will shape tomorrow.

A diverse panel of Pearl staff and artists will select recipients based on a student's contributions to their community rather than their musical ability.

Submission deadline: April 15, 2022

Apply online

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Jonnie’s Goodguys Scholarships

Jonnie’s Goodguys is a nonprofit founded by drum corps family that educates and advocates for aortic, heart, and connective tissue related health issues. Formed in 2006 to honor the late Star of Indiana member Jonathan Miller, Jonnie’s Goodguys is committed to educating and advocating for early heart and aortic health, with a goal to support the drum corps activity and encourage everyone to take care of their heart at every age. Simply to #DoGoodStuff

Jonnie’s Goodguys will award up to $1,000 scholarships to drum corps members who do a heart heath-minded activity.

Application deadline: May 1, 2022

Apply online

Learn more

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Jason Fritz Memorial Scholarship

The late Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund cofounder and board member Jason Fritz was a pillar of the Michigan band community. He believed that student leadership was one of the most important parts of the marching music activity, and that drum majors can influence how good a band can become with dedication to core values of inclusivity and personal growth.

The Jason Fritz Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund, but is open to all DCI drum majors including those who aren’t from Michigan. The value of the scholarship changes each season, but is generally around $500.

Application deadline: June 1, 2022

Apply online

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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.

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a person involved in performance arts (e.g. drum corps, winter guard, high school or college band, percussion, piano, dance, theatre, etc.) or to a person who aspires to become an educator.

Submission deadline: June 30, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

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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 $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors or college students enrolled for courses in the fall of 2022 and who are current members in good standing of an Open or World Class corps.

Under this application process, another two (2) additional $2,500 awards will be provided through the Richardson’s Scholarships, given each year to two corps members who wish to apply their skills toward a degree in music education. This award was created by charter members of the Friends of DCI, Ken and Patty Richardson.

Another two (2) $2,500 awards will be awarded as part of the Peth Scholarship. Courtesy of Friends of DCI members Steve and Mary Peth, these awards will be given to participating members pursuing any accredited higher education degree.

Submission deadline: June 17, 2022

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Donate to this scholarship fund

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IN STEP: Women of DCI Scholarship

The IN STEP 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.

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: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Marching Arts Safety & Health Scholarship

Since its inception in 2007, the Drum Corps International-sponsored Marching Arts Safety & Health initiative (MASH) 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: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to the MASH 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 DCI corps member.

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: July 1, 2022

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: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

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Michael Boo Memorial Scholarship

Affectionately dubbed by many as the “Pen of Pageantry” after working on projects for more than three decades for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International and Bands of America, there is perhaps no one who has amassed a bigger portfolio of writings about the breadth of the modern-day competitive marching arts than Michael Boo. Michael was sadly taken by cancer in 2020.

To support the efforts of the Boo family, The Cavaliers and Drum Corps International continue his legacy with a $1,000 scholarship that will be presented to the student who intends to remain committed to our activity by pursuing a career in journalism or writing. Student applicants must be high school seniors or college students who are members in good standing of a DCI Open or World Class drum corps.

Submission deadline: July 1, 2022

Download application form (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 $1,000 scholarship is for any active member of the percussion section of a World or Open Class corps member. 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: July 1, 2022

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: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Don Warren Memorial Scholarship

Donald W. Warren began The Cavaliers in 1948 to serve local youth in Logan Square, Chicago. To honor the roots of this organization and continue his legacy into the future, the Don Warren Community Service Scholarship recognizes one or more marching members of a Drum Corps International corps who have exhibited remarkable community service beyond their drum corps involvement.

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to any participating DCI corps member enrolled in an accredited higher education degree program who epitomizes Mr. Warren’s selflessness and desire to help others.

Submission deadline: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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John Martin Hope Memorial Scholarship

As snare drum captain in the 1968 Garfield Cadets, the late John Martin Hope became devoted to the East Coast corps and remained so for the rest of his life. As his legacy he wanted to make drumming and marching in a DCI corps financially easier for those who followed in his age-worn shoes. He wanted the experience of the drum corps activity to live in hearts and souls forever, as it did in his.

This inaugural $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a percussionist of a DCI participating corps for the current or next season's drum corps tour fees, university tuition, books or other activity fees.

Submission deadline: July 1, 2022

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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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 currently participating percussionist of a DCI World or Open Class corps.

Submission deadline: July 15, 2022

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, 2022

Apply Online

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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 member 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: July 25, 2022 

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship

Founded in 2019, the Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to making the DCI experience more affordable for all Michigan students. Scholarships are awarded to cover the cost of auditions and tuition every year for students who live in Michigan, attend a Michigan high school or college, or attended one in the past.

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis to cover either auditions or tuition and vary in size accordingly. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they know they are auditioning for a corps or when they are contracting to perform with a DCI corps.

Application deadline: Awarded on a rolling basis based on need

Apply online

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