Santa Clara Vanguard
Scholarships

Scholarship Opportunities

VMAPA offers scholarship opportunities to assist passionate performers who possess the skills and talent necessary to earn a contract with the Santa Clara Vanguard or the Vanguard Cadets, but lack the financial resources needed to pay for membership fees. Applications are evaluated by a committee of VMAPA staff, corps directors, and executive leadership. Scholarships are distributed based on the level of financial need of each applicant and the amount of funds available.

VMAPA is wholly committed to increasing the accessibility of our programs and removing financial barriers, so that all performers, regardless of their financial situation, have the opportunity to participate in life-transforming performing arts experiences. By donating to one of the scholarship funds below, you are making a direct impact that will benefit the lives of hopeful young performers for years to come.

For those interested in making a donation to any of the scholarships listed below in honor or memory of a friend or loved one with a connection to the corps, including those who have passed on such as Mark Rusch, Art Velarde, Alan Koch, Myron Rosander, and Paul Siebert, please check the box that says “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” when filling out the donation page. You will be prompted to include the individual’s information and will have the opportunity to share the motivation behind your gift.

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Brass Memorial Scholarship

The Brass Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to members who perform in either drum corps’ hornline under one of the following instruments: trumpet, mellophone, baritone, euphonium, or tuba.

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Percussion Memorial Scholarship

The Percussion Scholarship provides financial assistance to members who perform in either drum corps’ drumline or front ensemble under one of the following instruments: snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, cymbals, marimba, xylophone, piano/keyboard, and other various percussion instruments.

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Colorguard (BelieVe) Scholarship

The Color Guard Scholarship, also referred to as the BelieVe Scholarship, provides financial assistance to color guard members who are visual performers in either drum corps specializing in dance and equipment work including flag, rifle, and sabre. The BelieVe Scholarship was originally created by SCV Color Guard Alumni to assist financially struggling members of the color guard section who exemplify SCV spirit.

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Mosaic Scholarship

The Mosaic Scholarship provides financial assistance to members who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), and those who identify as LGBTQ+. The additional socio-economic barriers that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals face have historically prevented many talented young people from participating in the Drum Corps activity. VMAPA is invested in making our programs more inclusive and representative of marginalized communities, so that all are able to benefit from the transformative performing arts experiences we offer.

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Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship provides financial assistance to members in either drum corps who hold the title of section leader, color guard captain, horn sergeant, assistant drum major, or drum major. These individuals take on an increased level of personal responsibility, ensuring that members’ under their leadership have the resources and support needed to achieve their full potential as individuals and as a group.

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Gary Moyer Memorial Scholarship

Gary Moyer marched in The Santa Clara Vanguard as a soprano trumpet from 1969-1971.Gary went on to teach SCV, and touched the lives of many around him. Those who were close to him say that his relaxed and gracious attitude was one of a kind. This scholarship has been established by the friends of Gary Moyer, and provides financial assistance to a Santa Clara Vanguard “A” corps member who demonstrates financial need, as well as superb marching ability and a gracious personality. One or more members may be selected for this award dependent on the amount of funds available.

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