I am looking forward to my future as I am getting ready to pursue my next step which will get me closer to the career I want to have. Music has always been a passion of mine. When I was little my parents had an old upright piano that I loved to tinker around on. It was interesting to me to see how music could be created just from the simplest of notes and rhythms. I became interested in many things that had to do with art. I became interested in painting, drawing, doing photography. Music was the one thing that I would always come back to. Something about it really connected with me, and allowed me to express myself, and also allowed me to discover new sounds and textures I could create with my instrument.
As I explored more with music, I became interested in jazz. The concept of jazz really felt so freeing. Jazz requires a good ear and allows for so much creativity. Once I started playing jazz and learning more about it, I only wanted to learn more and play more. I found it interesting to study the great jazz musicians such as Oscar Peterson and Charlie Parker. Jazz really allowed me to express myself and create something new every time I played.
Because jazz has really become a passion of mine, I want to study it in college and connect myself with more people in the industry. Overall I plan to receive a bachelors in jazz and perform all around the world. I also have considered possibly becoming a professor someday, which would require me to get my masters degree.
Samuel is a senior at Guilford High School who is also enrolled at Rock Valley College. He performs with the Jazz Orchestra at Beloit Memorial High School, The Milwaukee Jazz institute and with his own group- The Samuel Caiola Jazz Trio.
Sam will be pursuing a major in Jazz Studies this Fall, but has yet to decide on the school.
The Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. has awarded over $70,000 to over 50 students to support their desire to study music.
The Gary S. Wilmer Memorial Trust was established in 1996 to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Gary Wilmer by awarding scholarships to students who wish to pursue and education in music. Gary was the founder & publisher of RAM Magazine, a Rockford area music monthly, and a founding organizer of the RAMI awards. Joe Guzzardo, owner of Guzzardo Music, said of Gary, "He was thoughtful and sensitive, and thoroughly understood the problems and needs of local music and musicians." Gary could do it all, be it organizing benefits, booking bands, running sound or lights, helping new music club owners or encouraging new talent to persevere. As the president of his senior class at East High School, as a graduate of Rockford College and as a successful businessman, Gary's 43 years of living showed that education is a marvelous "conductor" of a successful musical life.
It is the sincere hope of the RAMI scholarship committee that the recipients of this scholarship will carry on Gary's legacy with pride.
- Be a college-bound student in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County;
- Be 19 years old or younger as of the application deadline;
- Be attending or planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0;
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to further their musical education throughout college; and
- Be actively involved in school or community musical groups.
- Previous Wilmer scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.
Deadline January 1st. For more information and online application forms, visit www.cfnil.org.
RAMI funds several programs through The Music Academy in Rockford. Each student is nominated by the staff of the Music Academy and must demonstrate financial need. Scholarship covers one year of study.
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PO Box 4128, Rockford, IL 61110
ramicommittee @ ramiawards.com
Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. is classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the standards of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, any donations to the Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
