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Drum corps members in orange and yellow uniforms cheering with their fists raised, wearing medals, under stadium lights

Making Marching Possible.

Drum corps can shape a young performer’s life, but the cost of a season keeps too many talented students on the sidelines. MDC scholarships help students take the next step in their marching arts journey.

Explore Scholarship OpportunitiesSupport Our Mission

Why Scholarships Matter

Talent Shouldn’t Depend on Budget

Marching with a competitive corps is one of the most rewarding experiences in the marching arts. It also comes with real costs that many families can’t absorb. Scholarships help close that gap so the students who earn a spot can take it.

  1. Tuition and participation

    Competitive corps charge member fees to cover a season of rehearsals, instruction and performances.

  2. Travel and transportation

    Getting to auditions, camps and the start of tour often means flights, long drives and time away from work.

  3. Equipment and other expenses

    Instruments, shoes, gloves, practice gear and everyday costs add up across a season.

  4. Talent over circumstances

    A student’s ability and commitment — not their family’s finances — should decide whether they march.

Our Students

Supporting Students Across the Activity

March Drum Corps has helped students pursuing opportunities in the marching arts, including students contracted with organizations such as the Bluecoats and River City Rhythm.

  • Where MDC scholarship recipients have marched

    Bluecoats

    MDC has supported students contracted to march with the Bluecoats.

  • Where MDC scholarship recipients have marched

    River City Rhythm

    MDC has supported students contracted to march with River City Rhythm.

These organizations are examples of where MDC scholarship recipients have been members. They are not MDC partners and do not administer, fund or award MDC scholarships.

Student Impact

Where Support Can Lead

Scholarship support helps students keep their marching arts journey going. Past MDC scholarship recipients have gone on to march with corps including Eclipse, the Madison Scouts and the Bluecoats.

  1. 01

    Learn

    Students build skills with experienced instructors.

  2. 02

    Earn a contract

    They audition and are contracted to march with a corps.

  3. 03

    Get support

    Once contracted, students can apply for an MDC scholarship.

  4. 04

    March

    They take the field and keep growing.

Past recipients have marched with

  • A drum corps brass section in black uniforms playing toward the audience on a green field at dusk

    Eclipse

  • Madison Scouts

  • A smiling drum corps member in a bright blue patterned uniform standing beside brass instruments

    Bluecoats

Examples of where students have gone, not guaranteed outcomes. Photos show the activity and may not depict scholarship recipients.

Scholarship Opportunities

How Scholarships Work

MDC’s scholarships are part of the same mission as its lessons: making quality marching arts education and experiences accessible to more students.

Eligibility

Students must be contracted to march with a marching arts organization to be eligible to apply for an MDC scholarship.

Students who are still auditioning, waiting on a contract or interested in marching in the future are not yet eligible to apply.

  1. 1

    Funded by lessons

    A portion of every lesson fee goes directly to MDC’s national scholarship fund, so every lesson booked helps another student.

  2. 2

    Current details from MDC

    Opportunities, requirements and timelines can change. MDC shares the current details directly with students.

Ask about current opportunities

To find out what’s available now and what the next steps are, send MDC a short scholarship inquiry. It takes a few minutes and isn’t an application.

Start a Scholarship Inquiry

Scholarship Inquiry

Ask About Scholarships

Interested in scholarship opportunities through March Drum Corps? Complete this inquiry form and our team will contact you with information about current opportunities and next steps. Submitting this form does not constitute a scholarship application or guarantee an award.

Only students contracted to march are eligible to apply for MDC scholarships.

What happens next

  1. 1MDC’s team reviews your inquiry.
  2. 2We contact you by email (or phone, if you share it) with information about current opportunities.
  3. 3We’ll explain any next steps for the opportunities available to you.

Prefer email? mdc@marchdrumcorps.org

Scholarship inquiry

Fields marked with * are required.

Only students contracted to march are eligible to apply for MDC scholarships. Submitting an inquiry does not constitute a scholarship application or guarantee an award.

Your details

Share as much or as little as you're comfortable with.

This is an inquiry, not a scholarship application.

Support the Scholarship Program

Help the Next Student Take the Field.

Gifts from individuals and organizations help MDC fund future scholarships and expand access to marching arts education and opportunities.

Donate to MDC Scholarships

Looking for scholarship support yourself? Send a scholarship inquiry

  • Book a lesson

    A portion of every lesson fee goes to the scholarship fund.

    Find an Instructor

  • Partner with MDC

    Corps, schools and organizations can work with MDC to support students.

    Contact MDC