Devonte Merrick of DeKalb is the recipient of the 2019 Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship award.
He was honored with the $3,500 scholarship award from the DeKalb County Community Foundation during the June 11 DeKalb Municipal Band concert at Hopkins Park.
Merrick plans to attend St. Olaf College in the fall, pursuing a degree in music education.
Merrick’s connection to music began in his elementary school music class. Since then, he’s participated in the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Steel, Marching, and Pep Bands, the Symphony Orchestra, and he is the leader of a group that he created for jazz students at his school, the Swingcronicity Jazz Combo.
Merrick will be the first in his family to graduate college. He looks forward to pursuing a career in music education that will not only change the trajectory of his life, but his family’s life as well.
Dee Palmer, director of the DeKalb Municipal Band since 1948, died in November 2011 at the age of 97. Palmer and his family have contributed to the musical pleasure of thousands of people in DeKalb County for more than 160 years. The Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship was set up in 2009 to honor this local music legacy.
Scholarship funds are an easy way to support and promote further education of youth in our community. Contribute to any fund at the Community Foundation including the Palmer Family Music Education Fund at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.
*Story provided by TheMidweek: https://bit.ly/2KaJkCZ