Scholarship Opportunities

Annually tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds are awarded to deserving Open and World Class Drum Corps International corps members.

Listed below are scholarships to which qualifying students (members in good standing of a World or Open Class corps no matter if that corps is participating in the 2021 DCI Celebration Tour) may apply.

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 2021 to high school seniors or college students enrolled for courses in the fall of 2021 and who are current members in good standing of an Open or World Class whether or not they are performing as part of the 2021 Drum Corps International Celebration Tour.

Under this application process, another two (2) additional 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.

One (1) final award, the Peth Scholarship, courtesy of Friends of DCI members Steve and Mary Peth, will be given to a participating member pursuing any accredited higher education degree.

Submission deadline: July 2, 2021

Apply online

Donate to this scholarship fund

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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: July 2, 2021 

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: July 2, 2021 

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: July 2, 2021 

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 2, 2021 

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 will award this $1,000 scholarship 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: July 1, 2021

Download application form (PDF)

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Jonnie’s Goodguys Scholarships

Jonnie’s Goodguys, a 501c3 non profit organization, began as a way to honor a good guy, Jonathan Miller, a Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps member from 1990-1993. In 2005 Jonathan, a new father, collapsed at work. An aortic dissection took his life at age 33. In 2012, another Goodguy and Bluecoats alum (1990-1993) nearly lost his life at 40 years old to a massive heart attack. Although seemingly healthy, genetically high cholesterol caused him to have 100 percent blockage of his main artery.

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 $1,000 scholarships to drum corps members who do something for their own heart health.

Application deadline: June 1, 2021 | Supporting materials deadline: July 1, 2021

Apply online

Learn more

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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, 2021

Download application form (PDF)

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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, 2021 

Apply Online

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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 participating Open or World Class drum corps.

Submission deadline: July 2, 2021 

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 2, 2021 

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 2, 2021

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 member of a Drum Corps International corps who has 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 2, 2021

Download application form (PDF)

Donate to this scholarship fund

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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. The inaugural fellowship will be awarded for the 2022 DCI season.

Submission deadline: TBA

Learn more

Donate to this scholarship fund

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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 Pearl Corporation will award two $5,000 scholarships ($10,000 annually) to 2020-21 high school graduates who are an active member of at least one academic or community performing ensemble in the 2021-22 academic school year, and/or perform as an active soloist. The Applicant must be accepted for and/or enrolled in an accredited college/university for the 2021-22 school year.

Submission deadline: July 5, 2021

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