For the sixth consecutive year, the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is offering a scholarship opportunity for young musicians in rural Northeastern Minnesota. High school students graduating in 2016 who plan to pursue musical endeavors while attending college are invited to apply.

 

The Foundation will grant two $500 scholarships in 2016. The one-time scholarships are open to student musicians residing in rural areas of St. Louis, Itasca, Lake, and Cook counties (excluding Duluth). Preference will be given to students planning to major in music and pursue music-related careers. Students with strong musical backgrounds who plan to participate in performance activities such as ensembles, bands, or choirs in college are encouraged to apply.

 

“Students, particularly in rural areas, aren’t typically encouraged to pursue careers in music,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “By offering this small incentive for aspiring musicians we’re working to counter that status quo. Each year, we’re energized by the new pool of talented applicants.”

 

Past FOBMF scholarship recipients include: Samantha Mutchler, Grand Rapids High School; Steven Tedman, Mesabi East High School; Ricky “Chip” Sundstrom, Two Harbors; Aaron Wilcox, Virginia; Austin Becicka, Virginia; Ginger Lund, Deer River; Kimberly Rice, Virginia; Haylee Donnelson, Mesabi East; Justin Bohrer, Two Harbors; Bryon Klimek, Chisholm; and Alayna Starr, Virginia. More about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients: http://friendsofbrad.org/initiatives/scholarship-recipients/

 

The scholarship application deadline is Friday, April 15, 2016 at 5pm (CST). More information and an application are available online: www.friendsofbrad.org/scholarships.

 

*The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation scholarship committee will judge the applications. The committee reserves the right to abstain from awarding scholarships (or adjust scholarship amounts) if there are applicants don’t meet eligibility requirements.

 

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation

The FOBMF was created to honor the memory of Bradley Edward Rozman through programs that cultivate and celebrate young Minnesota musicians. The Foundation administers a number of programs aimed towards this goal, including the music events BradFest and BradtoberFest. The FOBMF is a 501(c)(3). For more information or to contribute to the cause, contact info@friendsofbrad.org or visit http://www.friendsofbrad.org.

 

Bradley E. Rozman

Brad Rozman lived for music. He discovered a love for drumming at a young age and pursued this passion with vigor for the rest of his life. In the early days, he formed garage bands with musician friends and led the drum line in the Virginia High School marching band. After high school, he went on to study percussion performance at St. Cloud State University and the University of Illinois-Urbana. When he returned to Minnesota after graduate school, Brad became involved in many music-making endeavors in the Duluth area, most notably as drummer for the bands High Volt Rustler and Equal Exchange. Brad’s life was cut short in May 2009 when he died unexpectedly of a seizure.