2026 GMBS Music Scholarship Competition

Honoring the musical legacy of Glenn Miller, the GMBS invites high school seniors and college freshmen to participate in our annual Scholarship competition. The event is open to high school seniors and college freshmen who intend to make music their future focus. Students from across the nation apply in two categories: vocal and instrumental. Ten vocal and ten instrumental semi-finalists are invited to compete in person for the top three positions during our annual festival. For 2026, we are pleased to present a revamped prize package, with $36,000 in available rewards! This year, our three vocal and three instrumental winners will receive: First Place - $10,000, Second Place - $5,000, Third Place - $3,000. All scholarship finalists will receive a special welcome package loaded with goodies upon arrival in Clarinda. Everyone will gather for a special scholarship group dinner to meet and greet. And most importantly, we invite and encourage all scholarship contestants to join us for the entire festival. Scholarship finalists will all receive passes to every musical event during the weekend as our appreciation for their participation, talent and musical interest. It’s our way of encouraging the next generation of musicians to continue the important legacy of Glenn Miller, American popular music and jazz.