Past Winners

This year’s recipient started playing the piano at the age of 5, French horn in the 4th grade and Trumpet in the 7th. She was a high school marching band member since 8th grade, being the drum major in her 11th and 12th grade years. She has been a member of the high school Concert and Jazz band since the 9th grade, tapping into her vocal skills as a Chamber Choir and High Harmony member since 11th grade. She also has performed in various high school musicals. She participated in many instrumental and vocal solo & and ensemble festivals, always receiving high ratings. She even represented the school over the years in All County Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Maryland All-State Vocal Treble ensemble. She has also participated in many high school honors bands and choirs. 

She states: “Realizing that music was my passion” “I have become much more confident academically and as a performer because music pushed me out of my comfort zone”. As one of her teachers explains, “She is earnest, hard-working, and well-rounded. She is well-liked by both her teachers and her peers because she is a team player and puts the needs of the group over her own interests. She is always actively engaged in class and enjoys tackling challenging activities. She is a young woman of great character and compassion.” Another Teacher states, “She is passionate about her school community. She enjoys leading many organizations at her school including Student Government Association, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and National Honor Society.” “She loves making music with her peers.” Outside of school, She performs in the Williamsport Community Band, Hagerstown Municipal Band, and she performed throughout Europe with American Music Abroad last summer. The awardee will be attending Towson University as a music education major with French Horn – primary performance area. 

This year’s Harry E. Kight Scholarship awardee is…. Ms. Suzanne Mitchell. Congratulations!

Ms. Jennifer Barnhart is a senior at Hancock Middle/High School. Her band director is Mrs. Susan Mott.

Jennifer is active in her school music department and is the percussion section leader in the marching band, concert band, and percussion ensemble. She also has participated in the newly formed jazz ensemble as a guitarist.

She also plays all of the mallet instruments, the bass and rhythm guitars, the drum set, and the ukulele, and also sings.

She has received superior ratings for her performances at the 2022 and 2023 Washington County Solo & Ensemble Festival.

She has participated in local honor bands both at Shepherd University and Frostburg State University.

She auditioned for Washington County’s All-County band and was awarded 2nd chair percussion in 2022 and 3rd chair in 2023. This gave her the opportunity to play with the All-County Orchestra, an ensemble she had never had the opportunity to play with previously.

Ms. Barnhart will attend Frostburg State University in the fall and will participate in the marching and concert bands at FSU while earning her degree in the music industry field. She hopes to one day gain employment in a recording studio.

To quote this year’s scholarship recipient…

“Music speaks to me in a way no other language possibly could. I love to experiment and expand my knowledge about music. I have so many great song ideas, and with this scholarship, it means access to resources that can make my ideas come to life.”

This year’s Harry E. Kight Scholarship awardee is Ms. Jennifer Barnhart.

Congratulations!

​The Williamsport Community Band awarded the Harry E. Kight Music Scholarship to Frank Laredo.  Frank Laredo, graduated from Clear Spring High School.   

The first Harry E. Kight Music Scholarship was presented at the Williamsport Community Band Concert on May 11, 2014.  This year the scholarship is presented to Ms. Autumn Pittman, who is a student at Hancock High School in Hancock, MD.  Congratulations Autumn!