Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence

The Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County administers the Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence. This program supports local student musicians who reside in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Eligible applicants must be high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who play a musical instrument. The selection process is based on an annual instrumental competition held in February. High school seniors compete for college scholarships to cover tuition and qualified educational expenses, while sophomores and juniors compete for funding to pay for music camps or private lessons. The first-place senior receives $3,500 for first-place senior; other award amounts vary. This scholarship program is funded independently through the community foundation and does not require applicants to submit the FAFSA or state financial aid applications to qualify, as selection is based on musical performance. The application period opens in the fall, and the submission deadline is December 11, 2026, 4pm.