The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) announces its annual music scholarship opportunity. Two $1000 scholarships are available for students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music in college.

“Art and music are critical components of life. They help humans persevere during difficult times, like during the pandemic.” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “It’s always important to cultivate and encourage the next generation of musicians but maybe even more so right now.”

The FOBMF was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Bradley Edward Rozman, a percussionist and native of Virginia, MN who passed away in 2009. The foundation honors Rozman through its programs that seek to cultivate and celebrate young Minnesota musicians. 

Over the past decade, FOBMF has provided more than $18,000 toward scholarships and other programming for young musicians, including scholarships for 21 students from rural Northeastern Minnesota.

The Friends of Brad scholarship is open to graduating high school students who will pursue music in college and reside in rural areas of Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, or St. Louis (excluding the City of Duluth) counties.

Learn more about past scholarship recipients.

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) announces its annual music scholarship opportunity. Two $1000 scholarships are available for students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music in college.

“Artists, creatives, and music-makers occupy a unique and critical space in our lives. They enrich our world. They make life more interesting, ” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We want to encourage young people to pursue their passions for music.”

The FOBMF was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Bradley Edward Rozman, a percussionist and native of Virginia, MN who passed away in 2009. The foundation honors Rozman through its programs that seek to cultivate and celebrate young Minnesota musicians. 

Over the past decade, FOBMF has provided more than $18,000 toward scholarships and other programming for young musicians, including scholarships for 21 students from rural Northeastern Minnesota.

The Friends of Brad scholarship is open to graduating high school students who will pursue music in college and reside in rural areas of Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, or St. Louis (excluding the City of Duluth) counties.

Learn more about past scholarship recipients.

May 8, 2020 – The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) announces its 2020  scholarship opportunity. Two $1000 scholarships are available. Students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music in college are invited to apply.

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is pleased to announce its 2019 scholarship opportunity. Since 2011, the foundation has held annual scholarship competitions for students in rural high schools in northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue music-related studies in college.

Two $750 scholarships are available in 2019. These one-time scholarships are open to student musicians residing in rural areas of St. Louis (excluding Duluth), Itasca, Lake, and Cook counties. Strong preference will be given to music majors who are planning music-related careers. Students pursuing unrelated majors that are actively involved in music activities (e.g., ensembles, band, choir, etc.) in college are also eligible to apply.

“It is our intent to encourage young music makers, particularly in rural areas with limited resources, to pursue their passion. We are pleased to be able to offer this scholarship incentive for the ninth year in a row,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president.

The scholarship application deadline is Monday, April 29, 2019 at 5pm (CST). More information and an application are available online: www.friendsofbrad.org/scholarships.

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is organizing a festive pre-Thanksgiving celebration from 6-10pm on Wednesday, November 21 at the Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse in Virginia.

Bradsgiving will include live music by four area bands, delectable homemade pie and a small silent auction. The festivities will benefit the FOBMF, a volunteer-run nonprofit with programs to celebrate and cultivate young musicians in Northeastern Minnesota.

“Bradsgiving is the perfect way to jumpstart your holiday weekend. We’ve got a full slate of extraordinary performers and we’ll be serving up some of the best pie you’ve ever tasted,” promises Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We’ll also have some fun silent auction prizes. If you’re a craft beer fan, you should definitely come to check that out.”

The FOBMF memorializes percussionist and Virginia native Brad Rozman, who passed away unexpectedly in 2009. In 2010, the foundation started the BradFest summer music festival in Two Harbors and has continued with fall and winter events, both in Virginia and Duluth.
Over the years, FOBMF has donated more than $14,000 in scholarships and programming for aspiring musicians. This marks the eighth consecutive year the foundation awarded scholarships to students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to study music in college.

In 2018, Dominick Olivanti from Virginia received a scholarship. He is now attending Bemidji State University, pursuing a degree in vocal music education with minors in opera and piano. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients.

Olivia Skaja from Deer River initially received a scholarship in 2017 to attend St. Olaf. The foundation recently decided to grant her an additional scholarship to help fund a trip to Norway in June 2019 with the St. Olaf Orchestra.

The FOBMF also supports causes such as the Duluth Music Resource Center, which teaches kids to play instruments, write songs and record music. In November, the Friends of Brad again made a donation to the Music Resource Center (MRC) in Duluth, which will be designated towards the production of a compilation CD by MRC students.

Bradsgiving Details:
The Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse – 235 Chestnut St. in Virginia
Wednesday, November 21 from 6–10pm
Silent auction: 6-8:30 pm at the Shop Coffeehouse
Music: 6-10 pm at the 218 Taphouse (adjoins the shop)
Featuring music by: Ingeborg von Agassiz; Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling; Sara Alexander & Friends; and Horse Fzce.

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is pleased to announce its 2018 scholarship opportunity. Since the spring of 2011, the FOBMF has awarded scholarships annually to students graduating from rural high schools in northeastern Minnesota who plan to pursue careers in music.

Two $750 scholarships are available in 2018. These one-time scholarships are open to student musicians residing in rural areas of St. Louis (excluding Duluth), Itasca, Lake, and Cook counties. Strong preference will be given to students who plan to major in music and pursue music-related careers. Those who plan to participate in performance activities such as ensembles, bands or choirs in college are also eligible to apply.

“Resources for young musicians, particularly in rural areas, are lacking. We believe it’s critical to provide an incentive for students that encourages them to pursue their musical passions,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We hope this scholarship can make a small difference in the lives of recipients.”

This marks the eighth consecutive year of FOBMF scholarship opportunities. Past recipients include: Briona Curie, Eveleth; Olivia Skaja, Deer River; Ali Juntunen, Deer River; Kelly Heinonen, Virginia; Kari Haaversen, Two Harbors; Samantha Mutchler, Grand Rapids; Steven Solkela, Mesabi East; 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; Byron Klimek, Chisholm; and Alayna Starr, Virginia. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients: http://friendsofbrad.org/initiatives/scholarship-recipients/

The scholarship application deadline is Monday, April 16, 2018 has been extended to Monday, April 23 at 5pm (CST). More information and an application are available online: http://www.friendsofbrad.org/scholarships.

November 14, 2017 – The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is organizing a festive pre-Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, November 22 at the Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse in Virginia.

Bradsgiving will include music, homemade pie and a small silent auction. The event will feature music by the local bands Horse Fzce and Big Waves and Bonfires.

The FOBMF memorializes percussionist and Virginia native Brad Rozman and seeks to celebrate and cultivate young Minnesota musicians. It started in the summer of 2010 with the BradFest music festival in Two Harbors and has continued with fall and winter events, both in Virginia and Duluth.

The Friends of Brad is a volunteer-run nonprofit. It has a scholarship program for students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to study music in college. This marks the seventh consecutive year the foundation awarded scholarships. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients: http://friendsofbrad.org/initiatives/scholarship-recipients/

Over the years, FOBMF has donated more than $10,000 in scholarships and programming for aspiring musicians, supporting causes such as the Duluth Music Resource Center, which teaches kids to play instruments, write songs and even record music.

“With Bradsgiving, we’re giving people an excuse to eat pie a day early. What’s not to like about that?” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We’ll also have terrific tunes and fun auction prizes. It’s an ideal way to kick off the holiday and support young musicians. We’re grateful to our hosts, the Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse, for helping make it happen.”

Bradsgiving
Wednesday, November 22 from 6–10pm
Pie sales and silent auction will happen at the Shop Coffeehouse at 235 Chestnut St. in Virginia. Music begins at 6pm at the 218 Taphouse (which adjoins the Shop).

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce the two recipients of its annual scholarship competition for young musicians in rural Northeastern Minnesota: Briona Currie of Eveleth-Gilbert High School and Olivia Skaja, who lives in Deer River and was homeschooled.

Briona Currie

Olivia Skaja

Currie has been dancing and singing since age 4. She played trumpet in the EGHS band and served as a music teacher at a Bible school. She will attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and hopes to perform on Broadway someday. Skaja has been ranked among the top five fiddlers in Minnesota since age 15. She was the 2016 Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Champion and took first place in the 2017 Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. She will pursue violin performance at St. Olaf College.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer scholarships to two young women who are so clearly dedicated to sharing their respective talents through careers involving music performance,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president.

The Friends of Brad scholarship is open to high school seniors planning to pursue musical endeavors while attending college. One-time scholarships are open to student musicians residing in rural areas of St. Louis, Itasca, Lake and Cook counties (excluding Duluth). Strong preference is given to students who plan to major in music and pursue music-related careers.

This marks the seventh consecutive year of FOBMF scholarship opportunities. Past recipients include: Ali Juntunen, Deer River; Kelly Heinonen, Virginia; Kari Haaversen, Two Harbors; Samantha Mutchler, Grand Rapids; Steven Solkela, Mesabi East; 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; Byron Klimek, Chisholm; and Alayna Starr, Virginia. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients: http://friendsofbrad.org/initiatives/scholarship-recipients/

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation

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. 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.

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March 6, 2017 – The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is pleased to announce its annual scholarship competition for young musicians in rural Northeastern Minnesota. High school seniors planning to pursue musical endeavors while attending college are invited to apply.

Two $750 scholarships are available. These one-time scholarships are open to student musicians residing in rural areas of St. Louis, Itasca, Lake, and Cook counties (excluding Duluth). Strong preference will be given to students who plan to major in music and pursue music-related careers. Those with musical backgrounds who plan to participate in performance activities such as ensembles, bands, or choirs in college are encouraged to apply.

“Pursuing a career in music is not easy and resources for young musicians—particularly in rural areas—are lacking. The intention of this scholarship opportunity is to encourage student musicians and provide them with a small incentive to assist with their educational and professional goals,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president.

This marks the seventh consecutive year of FOBMF scholarship opportunities. Past recipients include: Ali Juntunen, Deer River; Kelly Heinonen, Virginia; Kari Haaversen, Two Harbors; Samantha Mutchler, Grand Rapids; Steven Tedman, Mesabi East; 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. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients: http://friendsofbrad.org/initiatives/scholarship-recipients/

The scholarship application deadline is Friday, April 14, 2017 at 5pm (CST). More information and an application are available online: www.friendsofbrad.org/scholarships.

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.

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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.