COMMUNITY OUTREACH
History of Supporting with Scholarships
By George Kenney, President
The Haywood Community Band, a cherished cultural institution in Haywood County, has been nurturing the musical talents of young students since 2009. Through its music band camp and college scholarship programs, the band has proudly awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to middle school, high school, and college students from the Haywood County.
These scholarships have played a pivotal role in supporting the education and musical development of aspiring musicians. By alleviating financial barriers, the program ensures that young talents can pursue their passion for music by furthering their education. In 2024 the band awarded $10,000 in scholarships for summer band camp and college scholarships.
The funding for this impactful initiative is made possible thanks to the generosity of the band’s loyal audience. Donations from sponsors, band members and the band’s concert collections fuel the scholarship program, creating a cycle of musical enrichment that benefits the entire community. The audience’s contributions not only help young musicians achieve their dreams but also reinforce the enduring bond between the Haywood Community Band and its supporters.
The band remains deeply committed to its mission of fostering the next generation of musicians. By awarding scholarships and sharing the joy of music through performances, the Haywood Community Band continues to enrich the cultural fabric of Haywood County.
For details about upcoming concerts or to learn how you can support this meaningful program, visit our Concerts page or our Support page or attend one of their lively performances, where music and generosity come together to make a lasting difference.
Recent Scholarships
We are proud to support new and upcoming musicians in our county. Haywood Community Band provides a number of scholarships to music students in Haywood County for band camp and even college! Scholarship applications open in March and are handled by the individual school band directors.
Thanks to generous donations, we awarded $7,400 in scholarships for 2026. This includes four $1,000 college scholarships and eight band camp scholarships totaling $3,400—three awarded to local high school students and five to local middle school students.
“Band camp develops technical and interpretation capacity while players gain leadership, team building and communication skills. It inspires students to become lifelong musicians and for some work towards music degrees,” said the band’s musical director Steve Razo. “Our relationship with the local school band directors and programs is critical – each year a couple of these young people join our band!”
Daniela Mendoza
WCU
“I am truly honored and blessed to have been awarded this scholarship. Music has been a part of my life since the 6th grade, and the biggest takeaway I have learned these past 8 years is music nourishes the soul and refills it. As I plan to minor in music this scholarship lightens the financial load on me and allows me to dedicate my full attention to academics and allow me to remain active in music. I am grateful the Haywood Community Band has given me this wonderful opportunity to pursue my love for music; I hope to be an example for kids in Haywood County, inspiring them to keep pursuing music beyond high school and into college.”
Jennifer McHenry
Previous college scholarship recipient
“The Tom Cifani Memorial Scholarship reduced the financial barriers that came with pursuing a college education. I was able to study under a highly respected oboe professor at a university with a prestigious music program. I grew in many ways as a musician and person during my college experience, and I would not have the knowledge and skill-base I now possess if it weren’t for your generous support.”
Chelsea Smith
WCU
“I am so honored to be a part of the Haywood Community Band, and I want to thank them for choosing me to be a recipient of this scholarship. As a young musician, their generosity and support is going to be a great help for my future. I truly value the dedication this program shows to students and the arts, and I can’t wait to grow and learn more as I continue my music journey in college.”
Hannah Gibson
Pisgah High – UNC Charlotte
“I am extremely grateful to the Haywood Community Band for this college scholarship and many more opportunities they’ve offered to me in the past. This scholarship will help me pursue the thing I am most passionate about in life. I appreciate this program spreading the love and influence of music to the new generations.”
Other 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Additional talented students awarded scholarships in 2025 who are not pictured: Adam Browning – Pisgah High – Mars Hill, Wade Crump – Pisgah High – Mars Hill, Adelai Geisinger – Waynesville Middle – WCU, and Emma Spexarth – Waynesville Middle – Mars Hill
Bryton Sams
9th grade, Tuscola High - band camp - Mars Hill
Eleanora (Ella) Hyde
6th grade, Bethel Middle - band camp - Mars Hill
Nya Silvers
6th grade, Waynesville Middle - band camp - Mars Hill
Clayton Holling
Tuscola High - band camp, Mars Hill
Rachel Horton
8th grade, Waynesville Middle - band camp - UNC