National Seminar Scholarships

Deadline for all scholarship applications is MAY 15, 2023.

Recipients notified by MAY 30, 2023.

W.D. McKeehan Scholarship

The W.D. McKeehan Scholarship Fund was established by the Handbell Musicians of America’s national board of directors in 1983 as a tribute to W.D. “Mac” McKeehan for his long years of service and numerous contributions as national registrar and national treasurer. This fund provides scholarship assistance to qualified individuals for participation in Handbell Musicians of America’s National Seminar.

Two scholarships will be awarded in 2023 that include full registration to the event, 5 hotel nights at the Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (arrival July 11, departure July 16), and up to $300 reimbursed for travel expenses.

• Applicant needs to be an Individual member of Handbell Musicians of America, affiliated with a recognized Group member organization, or participant in an ensemble directed by an HMA member.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Applicant should describe their desire to attend National Seminar, articulate goals to be realized by participating, and provide detail on how the knowledge gained there will be shared.
• If applicant is not a member of HMA, a statement of support is required from an Individual or Group HMA member, sharing why they believe the applicant would benefit from attending National Seminar. This statement should be emailed to lonorevole@handbellmusicians.org by May 15, 2023.

Apply for McKeehan Scholarship

D. Linda McKechnie Scholarship

The D. Linda McKechnie Scholarship Fund was established in 2004. The purpose of the fund is to aid individuals and programs that promote education in elementary schools or with special needs populations. The assistance may be in the form of a scholarship to National Seminar for an individual working in one of these areas, or in the form of a grant supporting programming in one of these areas.

For 2023, one scholarship will be awarded to National Seminar that includes full registration.

• Applicant needs to be an Individual member of Handbell Musicians of America, affiliated with a recognized Group member organization, or participant in an ensemble directed by an HMA member.
• Applicant must be actively affiliated with a program serving elementary schools, or people with special needs in an educational setting.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Applicant should describe their desire to attend National Seminar, articulate goals to be realized by participating, and provide detail on how the knowledge gained there will be shared.
• If applicant is not a member of HMA, a statement of support is required from an Individual or Group HMA member, sharing why they believe the applicant would benefit from attending National Seminar. This statement should be emailed to lonorevole@handbellmusicians.org by May 15, 2023.

Apply for McKechnie Scholarship

Education Fund Scholarship

The Education Scholarship Fund was established by an anonymous donor as a challenge to other Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) members to contribute and support handbells in education and HMA educational events. Contributions are used to offer scholarships to Handbell Musicians of America events and grants to programs that promote handbells in educational settings. In 2023 one scholarship will be awarded for National Seminar that includes full registration to the event. 

• Applicant needs to be an Individual member of Handbell Musicians of America, affiliated with a recognized Group member organization, or participant in an ensemble directed by an HMA member.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Applicant should describe their desire to attend National Seminar, articulate goals to be realized by participating, and provide detail on how the knowledge gained there will be shared.
• If applicant is not a member of HMA, a statement of support is required from an Individual or Group HMA member, sharing why they believe the applicant would benefit from attending National Seminar. This statement should be emailed to lonorevole@handbellmusicians.org by May 15, 2023.

Apply for Education Fund Scholarship

Scholarship for Distinctly Teen

Deb Heine Scholarship for Young Ringers

The Deb Heine Scholarship for Young Ringers provides support for individuals under the age of twenty to participate in Handbell Musicians of America’s national events. In 2023, one scholarship will be awarded for participation in Distinctly Teen. The scholarship includes full registration to the event, 4 hotel nights at the Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (arrival July 12, departure July 16), and up to $300 reimbursed for travel expenses.

• Applicant must be a member of Handbell Musicians of America, affiliated with a recognized member organization, or participant in a group directed by a Handbell Musicians of America member.
• Applicant must under the age of 20 at the time the event occurs.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Applicant should describe their desire to attend National Seminar, articulate goals to be realized by participating, and provide detail on how the knowledge gained there will be shared.
• If applicant is not a member of HMA, a statement of support is required from an Individual or Group HMA member, sharing why they believe the applicant would benefit from attending Distinctly Teen. This statement should be emailed to lonorevole@handbellmusicians.org by May 15, 2023.