A large group of area volunteer musicians are helping students strengthen their school music programs through local scholarships. The Peninsula Symphonic Band and Swingin’ Door Big Band announced this week the opening of their Summer Band Camp Scholarship program for 2025.

Director Jason Palmer says the organization will offer ten scholarships of up to $250 each to middle school and high school wind band and jazz band students. He says the scholarship program has grown over the past five years and has been funded mainly through the proceeds collected by the Swingin’ Door Big Band performances, which were launched in 2019. 

Students interested in completing the application for the Summer Band Camp Scholarship will write a 250-word essay on what they hope to learn at the camp and submit a recommendation from their school’s music director.  The applications are due April 18th, with the scholarships being awarded by May 1.   About 80 members strong, the Peninsula Symphonic Band and Swingin’ Door Big Band will make their first performance of the year at the Memorial Day Observance at the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department station on Monday, May 26.