The new Elon University scholarship is awarded to academically and musically strong students who have a passion for instrumental music.
With the new academic year, Elon band students have once again been gathering to make music, and a new scholarship is opening that opportunity to more students.
Designed to attract new students to the university’s band program, the Phoenix Band Scholarship is available exclusively to incoming first-year students. Starting in 2022, fifteen Phoenix Band Scholars will be selected each year and awarded a $5,000 scholarship annually.
Director of Bands Jonathan Poquette said the new scholars program offers benefits beyond financial support. “It provides these students an opportunity to develop their leadership qualities within the band, so that they can apply these skills to all areas of their life,”
During their four years at Elon, scholars will perform with the Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band and the Phoenix Winds Wind Ensemble. They will also have the opportunity to participate in leadership opportunities, such as earning service Experiential Learning Requirements through the band program.
The scholarship has an application requirement, along with the rest of Elon’s scholar programs. To evaluate musical talent, students must also go through an additional audition process.
Prior to the introduction of this scholarship, all marching band members received funds that ranged from $500 to $1,000.
Poquette said that with the support of President Connie Ledoux Book, the Office of Admissions developed the Phoenix Band Scholars Program to encourage incoming students to continue their passion for music. “The Phoenix Band Scholarship is a program that is going to have a tremendous impact on the band department,” said Poquette.
Elon bands have already made themselves heard throughout campus, as the Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band played high-energy tunes to welcome new families to campus on move-in day. The band is a fixture during home games for the Phoenix in Rhodes Stadium for their unique and exciting halftime shows.
The band program is always accepting new students and encourages any student who played a musical instrument in high school to continue. Both music majors and non-majors are invited to participate in any of the ensembles on campus.
For more information about the bands and their programs, please visit https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/arts-and-sciences/music/band/. Any student who is interested in joining should contact Poquette at jpoquette@elon.edu.