Award and Scholarship Recipients 2026

Illinois Bands is grateful for the tremendous support that allows us to recognize the following students for their contributions to our concert and athletic bands. These individuals are representatives of the entirety of the Illinois Bands community, as every student makes valuable and significant contributions through their musicianship, leadership, dedication, and service.

A.A. Harding award

Andrew Gaffey and Ana Huerta Fernández

Mark Hindsley award

Sheridan Mackey, JaQuan Wiley, and Matt Williamson

Guy M. Duker Symphonic Band award

Steven Clawson and Jackson Parker

Thomas J. Harris award

Alex Mondragon

Edmund C. Williams award

Chandler Cleric, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Govern

DANSR/Vandoren Single reed award

Lily Knaack and Lia Pappas

William F. Ludwig Award for Percussion

Miles Niehaus

Sally Emrich Pierce and C. David Pierce Scholarship

Charlie Knetl

Gary E. Smith Excellence in Leadership award

Marching Illini Drum Major Scholarship

marching illini drumline scholarship

Prickett engineering scholarship

Marching Illini Trombone Scholarship

Ward and Mary Wilson Trombone Scholarship

marching illini (“loyalty”) scholarship

Illinois Bands is grateful for DANSR/Vandoren USA’s sponsorship of the DANSR/Vandoren Single Reed Award.