Band awards scholarships

In December, the Northport Community Band gave 17 Leelanau County students scholarships to further their music education, totaling more than $5,000 toward music lessons, summer music camp and new instruments.

In 2017, the band established the Don Wilcox Music Education Fund, named after their longtime director, to honor his legacy as a director and teacher. The first funds were raised at an informal gathering at the Martinson home in Suttons Bay, donations collected in an evening of music performed by local music students and adult musicians.

There were refreshments and camaraderie — and several hundred dollars in a basket, at the end of the evening.