The Festival at Sandpoint has granted over $6,000 in five local high school and college students scholarships for accomplishments in music, writing, and art.

Violinist Hannah Adams was selected as the winner of the $2,500 2023 Festival at Sandpoint Instrumental Scholarship.

Festival at Sandpoint Instrumental Scholarship 2023 runner-up Evan Schwenk also received an award of $1,500.

Arie VanDenBerg was the recipient of the $1,000 2023 Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship with his original song “We Ain’t Done” performed on guitar.

Since its launch in spring 2022, over 70 students at Selkirk School and Little Lambs Preschool have participated in the Festival’s Pre-K Outreach Program. Students learn to play six different non-pitched percussion instruments, count and read rhythms, and play parts within a group.

This free series of classes is designed to engage students through rhythm, movement, and song, culminating with a live performance.

The curriculum is tailored each year to work with existing music requirements in the local schools and introduce students to a myriad of instruments and new genres of music.

The Festival at Sandpoint is offering a new scholarship this year for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the music industry outside of live performance.

This scholarship is open to all Bonner County high school students pursuing a future career in the music industry, which includes, but is not limited to, music business, artist management, concert or venue promotion, e-commerce, music customer service, sound & light design and operation, and production management.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s overall interest in pursuing a music business career as well as the student's financial need, academic records, and industry experience.