Annual Music Awards and Scholarships
The Utica High School Instrumental Music Department, the UHS Band Boosters, and Utica Community Schools join forces to offer students opportunities to earn scholarships and awards each school year.
-Certificates-
Each year, students earn one certificate for each UHS Instrumental program they participated in (Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble.)
-Varsity U Letter-
UHS students earn their Varsity Letter (Chenille “U”) after their 2nd year in any of the Utica High School Instrumental Music Classes/Marching Band. UHS Color Guard members will earn their Varsity Letter (Chenille “U”) after participating in Color Guard after two Fall Marching Band seasons.
-Music Note-
UHS students earn a Musical Note (6” Chenille Note) after their 3rd year in any of the Utica High School Instrumental Music classes/Marching Band.
-Marching Band Patch-
Marching Band students earn a Show Patch for each year of participation in the UHS Marching Band.
-Medals-
UHS students are also awarded their Division I and Division II medals from Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Band Festivals.
SCHOLARSHIPS
-Louis Gonda Memorial Music Scholarship-
Established to fund opportunities for UCS band students to further their music education
Over the years, the Gonda Fund has enabled hundreds of students to attend music camps, take private lessons or otherwise enrich their music study. Primary funding source is through admissions at UCS' annual Band-a-Rama Marching Band Show. Open to Instrumental Music students in 9th - 11th grades that receive a 1st Division Rating at District Solo & Ensemble Festival. Students must audition for this scholarship.
2022 - Matt Hardin, Maia Suggs, Erica Holmberg, Grant Levin
2021 - Not awarded due to pandemic
2020 - Donavan Larsen, Logan Deal, Lauren McNair
-Sandra Oset Scholarship-
The Sandra Oset Scholarship has been presented to the following Utica High School students:
2024 -
2023 - Matthew Hardin
2022 - Lauren McNair
2021 - Mary Borus
2020 - Ann Droelle
2019 - Kyle Campbell
2018 - Gianna Bratke
2017 - Mary Keta
2016 - Natalie Kowalczyk
2015 - Melissa Machusko
2014 - Juliet Gryn
2013 - Stephen Blanco
2012 - Devin Aebi
2011 - Angeles Gjini
2010 - Paul Smith
2009 - Megan Sevoy
-UHS Band Booster Scholarship-
The Band Booster Scholarship has been presented to the following Utica High School students:
2024 -
2022 - Michael Greene
2021 - Andy Lasceski
2020 - Matthew Robertson
2019 - Ella Fulmer
2018 - Kaitlin Kerr
2017 - Jared Green
2016 - Kaylin Macks
2015 - Juliet Gryn
2014 - Melissa Machusko
2013 - Ashley Kerr
2012 - Stephen Blanco
2011 - Jenna Seib
2010 - Kasee Diaz
2008 - Adam Green, Hillary Jones, Megan Seavoy
2007 - Taylor Bianchi
2006 - Kimberly Lock, Matthew Fluture
2005 - Krystal Ankawi, David Daniele, Greg Sikora, Jeremy Moll
2004 - Noah Zogas, Jessica Cates
2002 - Adrianna Kowalczyk
2001 - Joshua Storrs
-Haithcock Family Music Scholarship-
The Haithcock Family Music Scholarship was inaugurated in 2021 has been presented to the following Utica High School students in recognition of outstanding commitment to the UHS Band Program for singular merit, loyalty and cooperation, and advocating for the program, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires.
2024 -
2023 - Savannah Wright & Matthew Elechicon
2022 - Adi Catarino & Dan Olah
2021 - Ava Haithcock & Aaron Jahn
AWARDS
-John Philip Sousa Band Award-
The Sousa Award is the pinnacle of achievement in a high school band. Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award® recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.
The John Philip Sousa Band Award® has been presented to the following Utica High School students in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit and loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires.
2024 -
2023 -Daniel Olah
2022 - Mary Borus
2021 - Dillon Wagner
2020 - Joshua Essenmacher2019 - Amara Booker
2018 - Matthew Zaleski
2017 - Natalia Kowalczyk
2016 - Melissa Machusko & Evan Danielson
2015 - Ashley Kerr
2014 - Devin Aebi
-Louis Armstrong Jazz Award-
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award® was inaugurated in 1974 with the consent of his widow shortly after this great jazz artist died in 1971. It honors the outstanding jazz musician at each high school.
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award® has been presented to the following Utica High School students in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of jazz as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character, and individual creativity:
2024 -
2023 - Coltrane Monteleone
2022 - Andy Lasceski
2021 - Dillon Wagner
2020 - Kaitlin Kerr
2019 - Alex Dotson
2018 - Alex Chorazyczewski
2017 - Alexander Floury
-Musical Achievement Award-
2024 -
2023 - Lily Oddo & Eric Lindquist
2022 - Maia Suggs & Bryce Harrison
2021 - Grant Levin & Lauren McNair
2020 - Andy Lasceski & Mary Borus
2019 - Lindsay Kilian
2018 - Charlie Borus
2017 - Matt Zaleski & Brendon Haithcock
2016 - Mary Keta & Alex Roy
2015 - Charlene Dukes, Natalia Kowalczyk & Ryan Herc
2014 - Ashley Kerr
2012 - Conner Campbell
-Loyal Chieftain Award-
2024 -
2023 - Bryce Harrison
2022 - Grant Harrison
2021 - Ann Droelle
2020 - Joshua Essenmacher & Katherine Phillips
2017 - Collin Syler
2013 - Moriah Sultes
2012 - Victoria Jones
2011 - Alexander Floury
2010 - Megan Seavoy
2009 - Jordan Wells
2008 - Taylor Bianchi
2007 - Grant Hubert
2006 - Mathew Woznicki
2005 - Collin Scott
2004 - Kristine VanDenBoom
2003 - Nicholas Daniele & Andrew Pickett
-Drum Majors-
2024 - Jaelyn Kaczmarczyk, Sean Mondello, Sophie Bowers & Jade Burnham
2023 - Chloe Fashho , Maia Suggs, Jaelyn Kaczmarczyk, and Sean Mondello
2022 - Emma Phillips, Lila Sapiano, Chloe Fashho, & Maia Suggs
2021 - Nathan Eichmann, Emma Phillips, & Lila Sapiano
2020 - Dillon Wagner, Ann Droelle, Nathan Eichmann, & Sofia Ricciuti
2019 - Katherine Phillips, Gina Sapiano, Dillon Wagner, & Ann Droelle
2018 - Amara Booker, Lauren Clair, Katherine Phillips, & Gina Sapiano
2017 - Rachel Miller, Matthew Zaleski, Amara Booker, & Lauren Clair
2016 - Charlene Dukes, Jordan LaBarge, Rachel Miller, & Matthew Zaleski
2015 - Jessica Cummings, Jason Miller, Charlene Dukes, & Jordan LaBarge
2014 - Cynda Molina, Ashley Kerr, Jessica Cummings, & Jason Miller
2013 - Stephen Blanco, Conner Campbell, Cynda Molina, & Ashley Kerr
2012 - Rachel Amey, Stephen Blanco, & Conner Campbell
2011 - Victoria Jones, & Rachel Amey
2010 - Evan Bianchi, & Victoria Jones
2009 - Melanie Wasik, & Evan Bianchi
2008 - Aaron Pickett, & Melanie Wasik