Clown Band to award performing arts camp scholarships. 

The Scottville Clown Band

Clown Band to award performing arts camp scholarships. 

SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville Clown Band is again offering scholarships to middle school and high school students who will be attending summer performing arts camps. In 2020, the band suspended its Raymond Schulte Memorial Scholarship Program due to the pandemic. 

The band suffered severe financial losses due to not performing in 2020, but through the generous support of the public, the band has raised enough funds to cover scholarships and other band expenses in the 2021 season. 

“In March, the Clown Band informed the public that it was facing a financial challenge,” said Treasurer Rob Alway. “We saw a tremendous outpouring of generosity from the band’s fans and, on behalf of every member of the band, we are very grateful.” 

Alway said the band is scheduled to perform this year, but not as frequently as normal.

The Scottville Clown Band was founded as the Scottville Merchants’ Band in 1903. Following a hiatus during World War II, Scottville merchant Raymond Schulte re-formed the band in 1947 and has performed consecutively every year since, except in 2020. The consists of over 200 musicians, mostly from northwestern Michigan and performs across the state.

In the mid-1960s, the band awarded its first scholarship to Mason County Central student Marty Erickson, who attended the first season of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Muskegon County (which was founded by former MCC band director Gilbert Stansel and his son, Fritz). Erickson, who spent 26 years in the U.S. Navy as a professional tubaist, is instructor of tuba/euphonium and chamber music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., a position he has held for 15 years. Since Erickon’s scholarship was awarded, the band has given out over $500,000 in scholarships. 

The scholarship application period ends on May 14. Students who wish to apply may download an application at www.scottvilleclownband.com. 

The Scottville Clown Band is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Contributions may be sent to Scottville Clown Band, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454; Venmo: @ClownBand; PayPal: ScottvilleClownBandTreasurer@gmail.com.