While many students are struggling to pay for college, senior members of the Southfield High School instrumental program aren’t having any problems earning scholarships worth thousands of dollars.
All eight seniors in the Marching Band this year received scholarship offers from either the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Kentucky State University or Alabama A&M University, with some students receiving them from all three. All three of the universities are ranked in the top 50 Historical Black Universities by U.S. News and World Report.
Colleges and universities that are looking to add young musicians to their bands regularly come to recruit Southfield band members, said Band Director Tom Miller. Many of the colleges give full scholarships, which cover all college expenses for four years.
Miller said, “The seniors who got scholarships listened to my advice; they took concert band, and Solo and Ensemble, along with other musical programs. Everyone can do marching band, but college bands don’t give scholarships for marching band.”
Senior trumpet player Kasha Thomas received a full scholarship to Alabama A&M University worth over $12,000 a year. “I felt very blessed when I received my scholarship,” said Thomas, who intends to study journalism and communications.
Trombone player Jurien Philips, percussion player Alexus Graham, tenor sax player Justin Latham, alto sax and clarinet player Brittany Mackie and French horn player Ebony McCloud all received full rides to Kentucky State University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M University.
Each of the students who received all three scholarships individually received over $188,000 in scholarship offers.
Latham said, “I was excited about receiving three scholarships. I was especially surprised when I received the scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff because they had the hardest audition.”
Latham is still undecided as to which college he plans to attend, but says he’s leaning toward the University of Arkansas.
Senior flute player Kirsten Wright received two full scholarships, one to Alabama A&M University, and the other to Kentucky State University. Wright doesn’t plan on using either of the scholarships. “I’m going to take a year off to study abroad. Then I’m going to study fashion in the Netherlands,” Wright said.
Several juniors in the Marching Band say that they have already received verbal promises of scholarships but nothing in writing. That’s because laws forbid giving scholarships to any student who isn’t a senior yet.
Miller said, “I’m expecting even more scholarships for next year’s class.”