PAS/Armand Zildjian Percussion Scholarships

Marcelina Suchocka has studied percussion for 9 years. She was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Percussion Scholarship Group under the direction of Douglas Waddell and Patsy Dash. Marcelina was the winner of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Youth Auditions, the most prestigious concerto competition in the Midwest. She also was awarded with the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, a $10,000 grant for musical instruments and lessons. Marcelina was named an Emerson Scholar, allowing her to study at the Interlochen Summer Camp. Most recently, she has been awarded the honor of playing on NPR'S From the Top at Carnegie Hall, and on New York's WQXR radio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAS/Hudson Music Drumset Scholarship

Jim Lower earned his Bachelor of Jazz-Commercial performance in 2012 at the University of Central Missouri where he studied with Dr. Michael Sekelsky (percussion) and Dr. David Aaberg (jazz improvisation). While attending UCM he performed as the primary drummer in Jazz Ensemble 1 and the Service Combo for four years. Originally from Grain Valley High School near Kansas City, Missouri, Lower was a member of the West-Central District Jazz Band. In 2010 he was selected to perform with the Missouri Music Educators Association All-Collegiate Jazz Band, and was a featured soloist with the UCM Percussion Ensemble at their MMEA performance in January 2012. Professionally, Lower is active in the Kansas City area, playing regularly with Killer Strayhorn, performing in venues such as Jardine’s, The West Chase Grill, and the Take 5 Coffee bar. In the fall of 2012 Jim will be attending University of Northern Colorado, pursuing his Masters in Jazz Studies as a student of Jim White.

 

 

 

 

PAS/Meredith PASIC Grant for a Non-Percussionist Band Director

Franklin Jennings is serving his fifth year as the Director of Bands at Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida where he directs three concert bands, two percussion ensembles, the marching band, teaches AP Music Theory and is Department Chair for Performing Arts. Prior to Freedom, Mr. Jennings served as the Associate Director of Bands at University High School, and Director of Bands at Gotha and Discovery Middle Schools. Mr. Jennings earned the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting in 2005 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under the guidance of Professor Thomas Dvorak. While at UWM, he served as a graduate conducting associate with the three collegiate bands and the two youth wind ensembles. He also served as Assistant Director of “Panther Band” and as the Assistant Director of the Summer Music Institute. Mr. Jennings played trombone in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, and while not conducting, played bass clarinet in the University Band. While living in the Milwaukee area, Mr. Jennings played bass trombone with the Prairie Brass Band of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Mr. Jennings was named an “Emerging Leader for Music Education” by the Florida Music Educator’s Association in 2002 and 2003 and was a Teacher of the Year finalist in 2002.

 

 

PAS/Sabian, Ltd. Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship

Jeremy Berkin began playing drums on his mother’s set when he was 6 years old. His first drum teacher was Ken Serio (fusion drummer, and drummer for Popa Chubby's European Tour). In high school, Jeremy began studying with Joe Bergamini (NYC Broadway drummer for Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Lion King, and senior drum editor with Hudson music). Jeremy also played in the concert, Jazz, and marching bands. Subsequently, Jeremy founded his original alternative rock band two2one. He performed at festivals, coffee houses, fundraisers, school functions, the Stone Pony, as well as the NJPAC while recording and marketing two CDs.  Jeremy continued by studying with Chris Pennie, founder of Dillinger Escape Plan, and former drummer with Coheed and Cambria. In his junior year of high school, Jeremy began drumming for another original rock/blues band, called Blue Soul. Blue Soul’s popularity took off in the NJ/NYC area, playing most weekends at restaurants, clubs, festivals, and competitions while recording two original CDs. In the fall of 2012 Jeremy will be a freshman at Drexel University in Philadelphia Pa, studying Music Industry with a minor in Music Performance.

 

 

 

PAS/Sabian, Ltd. Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship

Jacobi Gunter was born 2 1/2 months premature on November 1, 1988 only 2lbs 7ozs, to Delores Gunter in  Columbia SC, born with illness called Barter's Syndrome (due to the illness he had feeding tube till the age of 15) but this did not keep him from pursuing his dreams of playing drums. Jacobi had rhythm at 10 months old. His mother has been a guitarist since the age of 8 and when she played her guitar, she recognized the timing so she put a floor tom in front of Jacobi and he would keep time. Jacobi’s first kit was bought and he began playing a full kit at the age of 12 months with his first live performance was 18 months. He has won many different contests and awards throughout his young life. In 2004, he was the youngest at the age of 15 to be hired to perform at every Charlotte Bobcats home game as a member of their drum team. Jacobi received first prize in the Zildjian Drummerlove contest for the southeast region. He was subsequently featured in the February 2012 issue of DRUM! Magazine. He recently completed two commercials that will air this coming fall. Jacobi is currently pursuing his education at Midland Technical College.

 

 

 

PAS/Remo, Inc. Fred Hoey Memorial Scholarship

Evan Saddler is a recent graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied percussion with John Alfieri and Jeffrey Irving. He is involved in many aspects of percussion including orchestral, chamber, jazz, and world. Evan has been a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps based out of his hometown, Dubuque, IA, and has also attended the Interlochen Arts Camp. He hopes to make a diversified career out of his passion and love for music. Evan will be a student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN fall 2012 where he will study with William Wiggins, timpanist of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAS/Yamaha Terry Gibbs Vibraphone Scholarship

Thaddeus Tukes has played percussion and piano in the Jazz Combo, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble of Whitney Young since 7th grade. Thaddeus has received superior ratings in solo competitions as well, earning the recognition of best Illinois Jazz vibraphonist among high school competitors. He has performed with WY’s Jazz Combo at the Chicago Jazz Festival for the past three years, and they have worked for pay on numerous occasions. As requested by Band Director Anthony Lanzino and other school faculty, Thaddeus has also provided support to various groups and functions such as Jazz on the Bridge, Hip Hop Expo, Choir, Dance Club, Guitar Club and Theater, usually playing accompanying music or in an ensemble. The highlight of his participation in the band was playing at Carnegie Hall in New York this past winter of 2012. Thaddeus has studied with Dick Sisto, Jim Cooper, Brandon Podjasek, Gallery 37, Ravinia Mentors, and CSO’s Percussion Scholarship Group, and has taken several master classes with many premier Chicago-area musicians. Along with his musical endeavors, Thaddeus is a member of the National Honor Society, and will be attending Northwestern University in the fall of 2012 to further his academic and music studies.