The Waldwick Band Scholarship Program
The Waldwick Band Scholarship. This is an award, presented once a year, to a deserving student performer with the band, who is a high school senior or matriculated college student in an accredited college or university, to assist with his or her college education, and to encourage his or her continued involvement in the field of music and participation in community bands.

Why we are doing this. As stated in our charter, the Waldwick Band is an educational, as well as a cultural institution. A scholarship award program would advance the cause of music education as well as promote the future of concert bands in the region. It would create an incentive to talented student musicians to join and remain with the Waldwick Band during their youth and into adulthood.

Timing and procedure. In January the trustees will review the financial status of the band and determine if an award can be given that year. Should the trustees determine that the finances of the band do not permit an award to be made, there will be no award for that year.

As soon as possible thereafter, an announcement will be made to the band that an award will be given, and interested and eligible persons may apply. Completed applications must be submitted not later than April 1st.

The trustees will review applications at the April trustee meeting and determine a winner by majority vote. Candidates will be informed about the decision of the trustees as soon as possible thereafter. The winner will be publicly acknowledged at the next concert and, if applicable, at his or her school's award ceremony.

Payment shall be made directly by check to the tuition account of the winning student at his or her college or university. The student will provide all the required account information to one of the members of the band's scholarship committee so the band can make this payment.

The scholarship committee of the board of trustees shall maintain records and administer other aspects of this program, including distributing and collecting applications, assuring their completion and readiness for presentation to the trustees for consideration.

Eligibility, minimum requirements, and criteria for selection:

• Length of service with the band. A candidate must have performed at least 9 total concerts with the band, not necessarily in the same season. At least 3 of the concerts must have been in the year immediately prior to the date on which the award is made. Greater length of service shall be a consideration in weighing the comparative merits of two candidates.
  
  
• Musical ability. A candidate should have at least satisfactory musical ability. Possession of outstanding ability is not a requirement, but may be a factor in favor of a given candidate.
  
  
• Grade Level. Other things being equal, a college student will receive consideration over a high school student, a senior over a freshman, etc.
  
  
• Previous winners are not eligible for additional awards, except as noted in the paragraph below, "amount of award."
  
  
• Good academic standing, etc. Candidates shall be students in good academic standing in their schools, making satisfactory progress toward their diploma or degree. Candidates do not need to be current or future college music majors. High school students who are members of their high school band must provide a reference letter from their high school band director.
  
  
• Member in good standing in the Waldwick Band. Candidates shall be in compliance with the standards and obligations applicable to members of the band, including respect for fellow band members, responsible handling of the band's music and other property, proper dress at concerts, attendance, and punctuality.
  
  
• Forfeiture. Winners who do not enroll in college within 15 months following their graduation from high school forfeit their award.
  
  
• No favoritism. Scholarship winners are determined without regard to applicants' relationship to officers or trustees of the band and without regard to financial contributions to the band made by applicants or members of their families.

Amount of the Award. The award is to be $500. Where circumstances merit, an award may be split between two or more persons. In that case, the award winners may be eligible for future awards, up to the amount of a full award.

Changes to this program. The board of trustees of the Waldwick Band shall have the right to amend or terminate this policy at any time.

Download the application form here.

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