Tara Winds Scholarship Fund

2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Tara Winds Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to share the love of music by providing funds to further music education. Since its inception, over $137,000 has been awarded to middle and high school band students to attend summer music camps and colleges across the nation.

Scholarships are awarded to students grades 7-12 as well as graduating seniors pursuing higher education in instrumental music. Recipients are chosen through an application process. Scholarships are recognized and awarded at the Tara Winds Spring Concert.

The Tara Winds Scholarship Fund is funded solely by donations. To donate, click the Donate tab above to access PayPal. Please be sure to specify "Scholarship." Contributions to the Tara Winds Scholarship Fund may be tax deductible. Tax advisors should be consulted for specific details.


Application Requirements

  1. Any student grades 7 through 12 currently enrolled in their school band program in the state of Georgia is eligible to apply.
  2. To be considered, candidates must fully complete and submit the application. The application can be accessed through this link to the application form.
  3. All candidates will need to have their band director complete and submit a reference form. The reference form is available through this link to the reference form.
  4. Graduating Seniors ONLY: Graduating Seniors will need to submit a copy of their acceptance letter(s) into the college/university they plan to attend majoring in music. If you are still considering offers, please submit acceptance letters for your top three choices. Submissions should be emailed to scholarship@tarawinds.org. In the subject line, simply type your first and last name.


If you are interested in applying, all submissions and director recommendation forms are due by 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2024.

Winners will be notified by May 8, 2024 via email and posted on the Tara Winds website.


How to Apply

Click to access the Application Requirements document.

The application will be available in early March, 2024. Please check back then!

How to Donate

The Tara Winds Scholarship Fund is funded solely by donors. We are very fortunate to live in a state where Music Education is alive and well. This is our way of giving back to some of the most talented and dedicated students throughout the state of Georgia. We have several levels of sponsorship:

  • Virtuoso ($1,000 or more)
  • Conductor’s Circle ($500-$999)
  • Benefactor ($250-$499)
  • Patron ($100-$249)
  • Guarantor ($25-$99)

One full scholarship is up to $500 for students Grades 7-11 and $2000 for College Music Majors. There are two ways to donate:

  1. Credit Card: Visit the Tara Winds website Donation page to donate via PayPal. Please designate that your donation is for the Scholarship Fund.
  2. Check: View the Donor Letter for directions to donate via check.

2023 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients!

Level Student Instrument School Band Director
Middle School Abigail Dilauara Bari Saxophone Peachtree Middle School Walter Hickman
Middle School Seth Landers Percussion North Forsyth Middle School Eddie Anthony
High School Max Calamia Clarinet Walton High School John Palmer
Chris Johns
High School Ian Lilly Trombone North Cobb High School Sheldon Frazier
Scott Pannell
High School Ethan Thompson Bassoon North Forsyth High School Raymond Thomas
Graduating Senior Zachary Johnson Percussion West Forsyth High School Josh Tyree
John Herndon

2023 Donors

Thank you to those individuals and partners who make our Scholarship Program possible. We appreciate your support!

Conductor's Circle Benefactor Patron Guarantor
Donovan McMurray & Chase Morrison Jongchan An Tom Anderson & Cathe’ McKinnon George Blevins
Claudia Bullington Cathy Asher Carol Brown
Randy Lauscher Jay Asher Alan Fowler
John & Andrea Strauss Thomas Cremer Brendon Gayron
Larry & Martha Lynn Volman Linda Kirchner Dickson & Gail Grimes
Debbie Ray Lloyd McDonald
Vickie Smith Candy White
Laura Webb