The Band Department at Vicksburg High School will host its Annual Scholarship Fair Saturday at the Vicksburg High School Band Hall. Students from all area schools are invited to attend.

Vicksburg High School Bands head director Jon Nelson said the scholarship fair is an economical opportunity for parents.

“(It’s) an effective means for students to audition for multiple scholarships,” he said. “Our goal is for every student who auditions to receive at least one scholarship offer.”

At last year’s event, every single student who auditioned was awarded a scholarship of some sort.

“The biggest thing is that kids are interested in being in college bands and they have the opportunity to audition for all of these bands at once in one place instead of driving away,” Nelson said. “Most of these institutions are offering scholarships right after they audition so there’s no wait time.”

Several students were awarded full scholarships to music programs in Louisiana and Mississippi.

“Students from the surrounding area are afforded the opportunity to audition for and receive scholarships to allow them to further their education,” said Joyce Blue, President of the VHS Band Booster organization.  “We hope that this event allows students to showcase their talent for many schools in one setting, especially if travel to multiple schools for auditions would be an issue.”

This year’s fair will offer the opportunity to audition for Hinds, Alcorn, Jackson State, Grambling State University, William Carey, Texas Southern, University of Louisiana at Monroe and Lane College.

The cost to audition is $30, and students can audition for one or all schools during the event.

For more information, contact Lauren Wilkes Stubblefield, corresponding secretary for The Pride of VHS Band Boosters, 601-813-3616; or Jon Nelson, Head of Bands, 601-631-2898.