Eric Hirt Scholarship (Established May 2009)

Scholarship Summary

The Eric Hirt Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Eric Hirt, who was an incredible band parent volunteer.  Eric passed away in October of 2008, but he left an indelible mark on the Pride of Herndon Band with his selfless, dedicated and nurturing volunteer work.  The student awarded this scholarship best exemplifies the character and dedication to the band that Eric Hirt displayed for ten years.

Scholarship Recipients

2008-2009: The Eric Hirt Scholarship goes to Carrie!  She was a drum major for two years, and is a wonderful flute player.  She has been a great asset to our band, and we wish her well as she attends James Madison University in the Fall.

Scholarship Criteria

The HHSBPA will annually award a one-time $750.00 scholarship in the name of Eric Hirt, long-time volunteer, contributor and former HHSBPA President and board member.  This scholarship will last for at least five years, the first year being 2009.

The recipient will be a graduating senior member of the Pride of Herndon Band who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, integrity, and selflessness to the band that Eric exhibited during the ten years that he was an active member of the HHSBPA.

The Band Director will select the scholarship recipient after May 1^st of each year.  Band, Guard, Drumline and Jazz Band students may be considered for this award.  The recipient will normally be presented the award at the annual Spring awards ceremony by a member of the Hirt family or a family designee.

As part of the presentation of the award, Eric Hirt’s biography will be read to explain to the audience who he was and what he contributed to the Pride of Herndon Band.  A copy of his biography will be presented to the award recipient.  The check for this scholarship will be given directly to the student recipient.

A one-time scholarship of $750.00 will be given to a member of the current senior class for at least the next five years.  At the end of five years, this scholarship will be re-evaluated and further scholarships may be awarded with available funds.

Criteria for selection of the recipient for this scholarship are:
• Graduating senior member of the Pride of Herndon Band.
• Demonstrated dedication to the Pride of Herndon Band.
• Recognized by fellow Band members and instructors as a person of honor, good character and integrity.
• Contributes time and effort to the Pride of Herndon Band above and beyond expectations.
• Must be accepted by a college and planning to attend that college.

Eric Hirt Scholarship (PDF)

Eric Hirt Biography

Eric Hirt began his volunteer career in 1998 when his son, Justin, joined the Pride of Hendon Band.  He started with the Pit crew.  If it had wheels on it, Eric drove it.  Although his son graduated in 2002 and his daughters Erica and Melinda didn’t start with the band until 2003, Eric continued to volunteer for the Pride of Herndon.  In addition to the Pit crew, Eric worked on or ran the Showcase of Bands fundraiser every year, and chaired various competitions at HHS like the Drumline competition and Middle School Band Festival.  He served as Vice President and President of the HHSBPA for several years, all the while driving trucks, loading instruments, and cooking at barbeques for students and parents.  He also created the web site for our Pride of Herndon Band.  He was awarded the Nancy Katz Award in 2007, and the Town of Herndon proclaimed June 17, 2005 as “Eric Hirt Day” for his valuable contributions to our band.

Sadly, Eric passed away in October of 2008.  He was a caring, steady, and hard-working volunteer who did all he did because he cared so very much for the students.  Eric always had a smile on his face, and made hard work lots of fun.  His dedication made the Pride of Herndon Band a better place for students and parents alike.  We honor Eric for his service to our Band, and award this scholarship in his name.

Eric Hirt Biography (PDF)

Richard Bergman Music Education Scholarship (Established May 2009)

Scholarship Summary

The Richard L. Bergman Scholarship Music Education Scholarship is designed to recognize the graduating band senior who displays a strong interest in music with a preference given to a student pursuing a college degree in music.  The student must also demonstrate a strong academic and extra-curricular background.

Richard Bergman Scholarship Application (PDF)

Scholarship Recipients

2008-2009: The winner is Meghan!  She is a fantastic flute player and has played many solos for the Wind Ensemble throughout her high school band career.  She plans to attend George Mason in the Fall and we wish her much continued success.

Scholarship Criteria

The HHSBPA will annually award a one-time $1,000.00 scholarship in the name of Richard Bergman, Band Director for Herndon High School 1978 - 2008 in order to honor his service and history in the Pride of Herndon Band Program.

The recipient will be a senior member of the Pride of Herndon Band who displays a strong interest in music with a preference given to the students pursuing a college degree in music. In addition, the students must demonstrate active participation in many facets of the music program at Herndon High School.

The current Director of the Band at Herndon High School will select the top five candidates for Mr. Bergman to review and select the recipient. The candidates will be required to complete an application including an essay question. The recipient of this scholarship must be a current member of the Herndon Band program at the time of application. The recipient will normally be presented the award at the annual Spring Band Award Ceremony by Mr. Bergman or his designee.

The recipient will be responsible to notify their college of the need to present the HHSBPA with proof of attendance to their college and a mailing address to send the $1,000 award.

Criteria used in the selection process for this scholarship include but are not limited to:

• Current Senior member of the Pride of Herndon Band.
• Must be accepted by and plan to attend College.
• Demonstrated active participation in other music programs at Herndon High School and the Herndon community such as honor bands, Solo & Ensemble, auxiliary music activities in the community.
• High School grade point average of 3.0 overall with a minimum of 3.7 GPA in the band curriculum. Copy of transcript must be attached to application.
• Leadership potential.
• Financial need consideration.

Student applications must be completed and received by Ms. Schoelwer by May 3, 2010 to be considered for the Richard Bergman Education Scholarship this year.

Richard Bergman Scholarship PDF

Sydney Berg Scholarship

Scholarship Summary

The Sidney Berg Scholarship may be presented annually by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association in memory of one of it' s founding members.  This scholarship is $2000 per year (renewable annually) for a student attending a 4-year program in music education.  For application information, click here to visit the VBODA web site.

2010 Ross-Roberts Competition for High School Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Players

Scholarship Summary This competition will be held on March 6, 2010, at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC.  Applications must be postmarked no later than February 5, 2010.

Contact: Edith Tatel - highschoolwind@fmmc.org.  Click here for an application form.

Eligibility:

Students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments and live within 50 miles of Washington, DC.

Awards:

First Prize: $700
Second Prize: $500
Judge's Discretionary Award: $300

Repertoire:

All contestants must use an official accompanist provided by the Friday Morning Music Club.  There will be no advance rehearsals.

Woodwind and Brass: Choose three works, each from contrasting periods (transcriptions acceptable).  One work must be from either the 20th or 21st century.  One must be unaccompanied (2 to 5 minutes' duration-an etude is acceptable).  One must be a fast movement of a major concerto.  One work must be memorized.  All works must be currently published.

Percussion: Choose a 20-minute program demonstrating your best abilities.  This may include a marimba solo using two or four mallets (original or transcribed); a timpani solo using four drums; or a snare drum or multiple percussion solo.  Any selection written to be accompanied must be performed with the official accompanist.  The performer must provide all percussion equipment.

United States Navy Band High School Concerto Competition

The United States Navy Band is pleased to announce the seventh annual High School Concerto Competition.  Coordinated by principal horn Chief Musician Eric D. Moore, the competition is an opportunity for talented local musicians to rehearse and perform with the U.S. Navy Band.  This year’s concert will be held at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Virginia on April 22, 2010 at 7:30pm.  Last year’s highly successful concert featured winning clarinet instrumentalist Rebekah Carpio from Vienna, Virginia.

To be considered, eligible students should submit a high-quality audiotape or compact disc recording of the required piece of their choice, preferably with accompaniment.  The performance should be a complete and unedited version of the piece.  The tape or CD must be clearly marked with the applicant’s name, schoo land instrument.  Recordings will not be returned.

Students should complete and return the application form with their audiotape or CD, in one package, to the following address:

Navy Band High School Concerto Competition
ATTN: MUC Eric D. Moore, Competition Coordinator
P.O. Box 70271
Washington, D.C. 20024-0271

All materials must be postmarked by March 25, 2010.  Finalists will be notified no later than April 5 and invited to perform in the final round of competition on April 10.  Each finalist must provide an accompanist for the final round; all expenses incurred are the applicant’s responsibility.

The winner will prepare his or her solo with the Navy Band at the dress rehearsal during the week of April 22.  Selected finalists will also be invited to prepare and perform an ensemble selection for the concert.  In addition, National Capital Council Navy League of the United States has generously donated gift cards of $250, $150 and $100 for first, second and third prizes.  I hope that you will encourage your qualified students to apply for this opportunity to perform with one of the nation’s finest concert bands.  It will be our pleasure to share the stage with these dedicated and talented young musicians.

For more information please visit www.navyband.navy.mil or email Chief Musician Eric D. Moore.

Arts Scholarship Season for 2010

The Council for the Arts Scholarship program is now open.  Students and teachers can go to www.herndonarts.org to get the application.  We will award $10K in scholarships in May.

Checks will be made out to the institution/program that the student indicates they are applying for.  This is in keeping with IRS scholarship regulations.  IF the student attends a different program, especially due to finances, I am sure we can work it out, but checks will not be made out to students.

The Council for the Art has like every other organization seen a downturn in our funding, but we ARE maintaining our $10K arts scholarship program to Herndon students.