Tara Winds

The Scholarship Fund · Since 1993

$143,000+

33 years of helping Georgia’s young musicians go further: to summer conservatories, and on to college.

Why it matters

The Tara Winds Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to share the love of music by funding the next generation of it. Since then, more than $143,000 has gone to middle and high school band students, paying for summer music camps and helping graduating seniors head to college to study music.

Recipients are students in grades 7 through 11, and graduating seniors pursuing instrumental music. Each is chosen through an application process and recognized at the Tara Winds Spring Concert.

Summers at

Interlochen · Tanglewood · Encore Band Camp · Music for All

On to

Juilliard · Berklee · USC · Indiana · North Texas · Michigan · Georgia

2026 recipients

This year’s winners.

Six students in concert black standing across the stage with their award folders, the band seated behind them
  • Middle School Kate Han Flute · Osborne Middle School
  • Middle School Samuel Park Clarinet · Glenn C. Jones Middle School
  • High School Seth Landers Percussion · North Forsyth High School
  • High School Angelica Autumn Rice Euphonium · Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe High School
  • High School Nicklas Turner Tuba · Mill Creek High School
  • Graduating Senior Andrew Calvin Bragg Alto Saxophone · Houston County High School

For students

Apply.

Any Georgia band student in grades 7 through 12 is eligible. Recipients are chosen by application with a band-director reference; graduating seniors also submit a college acceptance letter.

Applications for this cycle are closed. Check back in March 2027 for next year’s instructions, or email scholarship@tarawinds.org.

For donors

Give to the fund.

The fund is endowed entirely by donors. Every dollar goes directly to a student.

$500 sends one student in grades 7–11 to a summer music program.

$2,000 funds one graduating senior heading to college for music.

Details on contributing to next year’s scholarship program are coming soon. To be told when the fund reopens for gifts, join the mailing list.

With gratitude

2026 donors.

The fund exists because of them.

Conductor's Circle

  • The Bass, Burton, & Gilson FamiliesIn honor of Ed Davis
  • Randy Lauscher
  • Donovan McMurray

Benefactor

  • Tom Anderson & Cathe' McKinnonIn honor of Ed Davis
  • Jay Asher
  • Claudia Bullington
  • Encore Band Camp, LLC
  • John & Andrea Strauss
  • Larry & Martha Lynn Volman
  • Laura WebbIn honor of Ed Davis

Patron

  • Jay & Cathy AsherIn honor of Bill Allgood
  • George Blevins
  • Everett and Jennifer Cannady
  • Alan Fowler
  • Mickey & Jerry GarberIn honor of Ed Davis
  • Marianne MartosIn honor of Ed Davis
  • Janet MatthewsIn honor of Ed Davis

Guarantor

  • Rob Elliott
  • Janet Genutis
  • Dickson & Gail Grimes
  • Letha KellyIn honor of Violet Asher
  • Sheila Smith