Alumni Drumline Scholarship

A valuable
student experience

The University of Illinois Marching Band provides a valuable student experience that contributes greatly to the fabric of university life, and is an important factor in the educational and social growth of its members. The Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship is intended to support this activity by providing financial assistance to a member of the Drumline of the Marching Illini.

This scholarship was established by faithful drumline alumni and supporters of the Marching Illini Drumline to demonstrate their belief in this activity and the impact it has on the talented students fortunate enough to be selected to this historic drumline.

We have all enjoyed the excitement of the Marching Illini Drumline, and many of us are also proud to have marched in this elite section. This experience provides a special combination of the scholastic challenges of a top-rank University, together with demanding drumming, close camaraderie, fun social events, and supporting university athletics.

Many drumline alumni have used the excellent academic background from U of I and the teamwork skills from the drumline to establish successful careers. It is now an appropriate time to give something back to the University, and especially to the current and future students who commit to the Marching Illini Drumline. To achieve this goal, a scholarship endowment has been established in order to provide an annual award to a deserving member of the University of Illinois Marching Illini Drumline. The structure of this scholarship is described below.

All contributions allocated to the Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship fund are managed by the University of Illinois Foundation. All contributions are tax-deductable charitable contributions (Tax ID #37-6006007).

The yearly award is loosely based on the amount of interest the endowment pool accrues the previous year. The long-term objective is to grow this endowment by donations. Your support will help a deserving student meet the ever-increasing costs of the best University education in the United States. Donations can be made very easily by any of the methods described on the Giving page.

Scholarship Application

Applicants for the Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship will be asked to support their application with information relevant to the following criterion:

a. The recipient(s) must be in the percussion section of the Marching Illini.
b. The recipient(s) must have a minimum of two previous seasons’ experience in the percussion section of the Marching Illini.
c. The recipient(s) must have demonstrated strong leadership and initiative for the Marching Illini Drumline.
d. The recipient(s) must have demonstrated academic merit.
e. The recipient(s) financial need may be considered.

On-Line Application Can Be Found Here

Basic Rules: A student can only receive the scholarship once. The selection committee is formed at the discretion of the Director of the Marching Illini. It will usually consist of the Director of the Marching Illini, an alumni drumline member, the current drumline graduate teaching assistant, and another band faculty member.

Amount: The scholarship amount will depend on the amount of donations and the return on investment of the UI Foundation Endowment Fund. Recently, it has generally centered around $500.

The funding for this account has been provided by UI Band Alumni and is a demonstration of the important bonds of the UI Band through generations.

Donors to the UI Drumline Scholarship Fund include drumline alumni, friends, and family. If you are interested in giving to this worthwhile scholarship fund, please visit our Giving Page