The Baldwin Pops Band, under the direction of Wayne Fillingim, is set to present the annual John Allen Memorial Scholarship Concerts. Two concerts are scheduled, with the first taking place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center (23908 Canal Rd, Orange Beach). The second concert, where scholarship winners will be announced, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Trojan Hall in Daphne (9078 Lawson Rd, Daphne).

For over 20 years, the Baldwin Pops Band has sponsored an annual scholarship contest for high school seniors from Baldwin County intending to continue their musical pursuits in college. Band directors from all Baldwin County high schools nominate their students to perform with the band and compete for scholarships. In 2024, twenty-five students from Baldwin County High School, Bayshore Christian School, Daphne High School, Elberta High School, Fairhope High School, Foley High School, Robertsdale High School and Spanish Fort High School are participating.

The participating students and their respective instruments and schools are as follows:

BALDWIN COUNTY HIGH
SCHOOL:

• Payton Ball, baritone saxophone
• Taylor Chain, tenor saxophone
• Kaiden Smith, french horn

BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN

• Jake Graves, percussion

DAPHNE HIGH SCHOOL:

• Vanessa Alexander, clarinet
• Bren LaCoste, oboe
• Blayklee Swann, flute
• Julian Thomas, trumpet

ELBERTA HIGH SCHOOL:

• Michael Badger, trombone

FAIRHOPE HIGH SCHOOL:

• Lanier Chew, trombone
• Brendon Cotton, euphonium
• Kendra Doane, trumpet
• Zachary Dorta, trumpet
• Tucker Harrison, trumpet
• Evan Jarmon, trombone
•  Noah Kantor, trombone
• Calisa Miller, trumpet
• Noah Sugg, french horn

FOLEY HIGH SCHOOL:

• Lesley Boyett, flute
• Daisha Figueroa, clarinet
• Adan Guillen, flute
• Evan Jarmon, trombone
• Julian Wallace, clarinet

ROBERTSDALE HIGH
SCHOOL:

• Rebekah Owens, clarinet

SPANISH FORT HIGH

• James Langan, trombone

ALABAMA SCHOOL OF
MATH AND SCIENCE:

• Eleanna Soto, oboe

The John Allen Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of John Allen, who, at the age of 74, became the oldest member of the Baldwin Pops Band. Allen's dedication to music and his inspiring journey as a late bloomer in the band world led to the establishment of this scholarship fund in his memory. He was not only a student of the tuba but also an inspiration to his fellow bandmates.

The selected musical pieces for the concerts include "Aces of the Air" by Karl L. King, "Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy" arranged by Michael Brown, "O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen transcribed by H. Robert Reynolds, "The Melody Shop" by Karl King, "New Moon in the Old Moon's Arms" by Michael Kamen arranged by Chris LeBatard and Justin Williams, "Transcendent Journey" by Rossano Galante, and "The Year of the Dragon" (2017 version) by Philip Sparke.

Donations for the John Allen Memorial Scholarship will be gratefully accepted at each concert or via mail to Baldwin Pops Band, PO Box 38, Fairhope, AL 36533.

For further information, interested individuals can visit www.baldwinpops.com, email baldwinpopsband@ gmail.com, follow "Baldwin Pops Band" on Facebook, or leave a voice message at (251) 987-5757. All concerts are free, and this event is sponsored by the respective host cities.