Scholarships
Empowering the next generation of musicians.
For more than 15 years, The Charlottesville Band has been supporting young musicians in our area through scholarship opportunities. And as of our Centennial in 2022, we’ve introduced an additional program to reach even more promising middle and high school students. From financial awards that go towards college tuition to funding free music lessons at a crucial time of learning, we nurture young people whose passion is music.
If you’re a dedicated young player of a band instrument who would like to apply for one of our scholarships, or if you’re interested in donating to fund these deserving students, check out the offerings below.
Centennial Music Scholarship
To help celebrate our 100th season, we endowed a new scholarship program for young musicians in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County public schools. Seventh and eighth graders who play trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, saxophone, or percussion can apply for scholarships that provide free, once weekly 30-minute lessons throughout the school year. At year’s end, scholarship recipients get to perform a piece with the Band at one of our live concerts. In the first years of this program, we have awarded scholarships to 59 middle school students.
Solo Competition
The Murphy Concerto Competition is named in honor of its benefactor and Charlottesville Band supporter, the Reverend Dr. Genevieve Murphy, whose generous donation underwrites this annual tradition that showcases the finest young musicians and encourages them to pursue higher education in the arts. The winner receives a $2,000 scholarship to fund higher education costs, and performs as a featured soloist with the Band at our annual Spring Concert. The competition is open to students in grades 10-12 who attend public schools in the city of Charlottesville or Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange counties.
Application period opens in Fall 2026.
2026 Winner
MICHELLE WONG
Charlottesville High School
Michelle Wong is a senior at Charlottesville High School where she plays in the CHS Wind Ensemble. For the last four years she has been a member of the Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia’s Youth Symphony. Michelle has also won the Wednesday Music Club Camp Scholarship Competition and attended summer programs at Interlochen, Oberlin, and the New England Conservatory. She has participated in District Band throughout high school and last year placed first chair in the All State Concert Band. Michelle will attend Northwestern University in the fall where she plans to major in chemistry and hopes to continue playing in ensembles. Michelle Wong is a student of Elizabeth Brightbill.
PAST WINNERS
2025 Eric Chen | Albemarle High School
2024 Annie Meng | Albemarle High School
2023 Lizzie Mayhood | Albemarle High School
2022 Samuel Hall | Albemarle High School
2020 Reid Dodson | Charlottesville High School
2019 Rose Bittle | Albemarle High School
2018 Jason Dech | Fluvanna County High School
2017 Charlotte McDonald | Charlottesville High School
2016 Maggie Archer | Louisa County High School
2015 Chris Hays | Charlottesville High School
2014 Geneva Knight | Charlottesville High School
2012 Marie Fernandez | Monticello High School
2011 Samantha Marshall | Monticello High School
2010 Anthony Poehailos | Monticello High School
