Area 5 Scholarships

Festivals, workshops, and other events are a vital aspect of the handbell community. The Area 5 scholarship fund provides support for qualified first-time attendees for Area 5 Youth/Adult Festival/Conferences, Area 5 Directors Workshops/Seminars, and the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar. For more information see the awards policy below.

The Area 5 scholarship fund was created over time by the Area 5 Board of Directors to recognize and honor three individuals:

• • Ellen Jane Lorenz Porter in 1997, as a tribute to Ellen Jane’s early, ground breaking work with handbells;
  • Former Chair Barbara Kane in 2000, as a tribute to Barbara’s tireless support of Area 5 and handbells in general;
  • David R. Davidson in 2011, as a tribute to David’s immense contributions to Handbell Musicians of America, Area 5, and the art of handbell ringing, especially for encouraging young ringers as a way of strengthening and securing the future of handbells.

Scholarship Awards Policy

The Area 5 Scholarship Committee may award scholarships to those applicants who:

• • Are current members of Handbell Musicians of America and/or reside in Area 5. Either a personal or organizational membership qualifies.
  • Submit their application postmarked no later than 6 weeks before the event.
  • Are first-time attendees at the chosen event.
  • Show some background in handbells.

• • Applicants will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline.

The Scholarship Committee will award scholarships up to the certified available dollar amount at their sole discretion, and has the right to award fewer or no scholarships. The maximum amount of any scholarship shall be the published base registration fee. Funds for awards will be forwarded directly to the event registrar, on the recipient’s behalf. No funds will be paid directly to the recipient.

Recipients are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, and any additional fees for the event not covered by the base registration fee.

Recipients are expected to submit a brief follow-up report of their experience at their chosen event. This report may be used by Area 5 to promote the scholarship program.

Members of the Area 5 Board of Directors, the Scholarship Committee, and their immediate family members shall be ineligible for scholarship awards during their term of office.

Scholarships will not be awarded for premier events, such as the event on Mackinac Island, Michigan.