One thing the California Bluegrass Association truly excels at is our stalwart support of music education for our youngsters. The Kids on Blugrass set at Grass Valley is always one on the most watched shows every year because the organization fosters so much young talent.
So I just wanted to share these resource links for parents who want to support their child’s musical development. My thanks to Austin Scelzo for sharing this summary. You might want to check out his web site http://www.austinscelzo.com
Press Release STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND 01-2026
THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND, launched in April 2019, is proud to announce that 22 applicants received scholarship awards of $500 or more in 2025. Donations were received by private individuals through cash donations at public festivals and concerts, online and direct payments. Eligible applicants are from the DelMarVaPa regionand beyond. All applications received are reviewed by an advisory board of (7) professionals in the music industry. Awarded funds aremade directly to the instructor, camp or college as designated by the award recipient.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 70 AWARD RECIPIENTS to date, whose ages range from 8 to over 70, playing a variety of instruments. Those scholarships awarded in 2025 were comprised of:
|
3 |
banjo |
|
|
14 |
fiddle |
|
|
2 |
guitar |
|
|
2 |
mandolin |
|
|
1 |
bass |
|
|
22 |
|
|
Our professional instructors are located throughout the US. Award recipients reside in the US or are attending colleges in the US. In addition, in 2023 we awarded (2) scholarships to applicants living in India who took virtual lessons from US-basedinstructors.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Watch for us at numerous festivals and concert events in 2026.We are thrilled to sponsor the Kids Academy at the Chesapeake Winter Bluegrass Festival in Annapolis, MD January 30 – February 1, 2026 and the Kids Academy at the Remington Ryde Festival in Centre Hall, PA June 24 – 28, 2026.
Applications for the 2026 Scholarships, as well as donations, are being accepted now through the link below:
https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/mandellmusic.html
About the fund:
THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND is intended to honor the memory of Steve Mandell who passed away in March 2018. Steve was an award-winning musician (Grammy 1993 for Best Country Instrumental Performance – “Dueling Banjos”, along with several Gold and Platinum records) and played with numerous folk, country and bluegrass acts, performed on studio album and commercial recordings and appeared on Broadway. The award is intended to benefit those who want to learn/develop/enhance their music education in folk, bluegrass, old timey and other acoustic Americana styles. Awards between $500 -$1,000 began in April 2020, annually or more frequently depending fund income and based on need and intention. Applications are reviewed and awarded by a board of knowledgeable musicians and others in the industry.
THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND is a program of Common Ground on the Hill. Common Ground on the Hill is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations to Common Ground on the Hill and its programs are tax deductible. Further information can be found at https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/mandellmusic.html
Contact:
For more information contact Terry Mandell via email mandellmusic2019@gmail.com
Found on Facebook: STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This Scholarship Fund is intended to honor Steve’s memory and benefit those who want to learn/develop/enhance their music education in folk, bluegrass, old-timey and other acoustic Americana styles. Awards between $500 – $1,000 will begin in April, 2020, annually or more frequently depending fund income and based on need and intention.
Applications will be reviewed and awarded by a board of knowledgeable musicians and others in the industry. For more information, email mandellmusic2019@gmail.com
THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND is a program of Common Ground on the Hill. Common Ground on the Hill is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations to Common Ground on the Hill and its programs are tax deductible. Like us on Facebook! Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Page
ABOUT STEVE MANDELL You may not know the name, but you certainly knew his music. Winning a Grammy Award in 1973 and subsequent Gold Record, Gold and Platinum Albums as the guitarist on the infamous tune “Dueling Banjos” from the soundtrack of the movie Deliverance, that was only a small part of his musical background. Steve’s musical history started in the early 1960s, playing in Washington Square, NYC, with folk artists Judy Collins, blues legend Maria Muldaur and bluegrass mandolinist David Grisman. He continued working in the studio, on Broadway and touring into the 70s with Oscar Brand, actor/singers Ronny Cox and Theodore Bikel, country legend John Denver, banjo masters Tony Trischka and Eric Weissberg (fellow Grammy winner for Dueling Banjos), and many more. Steve had made his mark in folk and bluegrass in New York, then in the late 1980s he took his talents into Maryland and beyond. His love for the music led him to initiating a concert series at his congregation in Reisterstown, MD, judging numerous contests in MD and VA, and attending festivals and jams throughout the region.
This scholarship fund creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn to play a string band instrument (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass). Scholarships of up to $250 can be used to pay for private lessons, workshops, camps and other active learning opportunities. All applications will be considered, with priority given to teachers and students in the Piedmont and the Carolinas. PineCone is honored to keep Brad’s memory and love of roots music alive through this program.
Fletcher Bright Memorial Grant for Young Musicians (age 21 and younger).
Sally Ann Forrester Scholarship for female bluegrass musicians attending college
Arnold Shultz Fund encourages more participation in bluegrass from people of color.
Rick Lang Music Scholarship – For students interested in songwriting
Bluegrass in the Schools Mini Grants – Bring a bluegrass band to your school with these mini grants
IBMA Foundation Project Grants – The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 1. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas: arts & culture, education, literary or academic programs, or history preservation.
Newport Folk Fest Artist Gives Program – Grants for artists to visit Music Education Programs that they care about
The Terry Baucom Bluegrass Education Grant, created by Cindy Baucom, will help cover expenses of lessons, educational materials, instrument repair, workshops, and camps for bluegrass musicians of all ages.
The Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship, created by Howard Parker, will benefit individuals studying the resophonic guitar, steel guitar, or acoustic guitar on the college level with a bluegrass or roots music focus.
The mission of The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund is to support the musical education and development of young banjo players while preserving and advancing the community that defined Gabe Hirshfeld’s life and work.
Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible and can be made here:
