While we normally shy away from “Big Check” photos, this image of Bobby Bandiera (fourth from left) presenting a a $91,000 award to The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties illustrates the fundraising power of Bandiera’s holiday Hope Concerts, the 2016 edition of which brought in over $200,000 for designated beneficiaries at Foodbank, Two River Theater, and the arts education programs at Red Bank Middle School.

Press release from Count Basie Theatre

The Count Basie Theatre has announced the availability of five Arts Impact scholarships available to Monmouth County high school seniors graduating in 2017.

This year, the Basie will proudly offer five scholarships: the Moser-Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship, the Monmouth Medical Center – RWJBarnabas Health Arts Impact  Scholarship, the Monmouth County Freeholders’ Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education, the Siciliano Landscape Company Arts Impact Scholarship, and the new Steven and Jaime Schultz Arts Impact Scholarship. 

The Monmouth County Freeholders’ scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a New Jersey-based college in the fall. Each will award a recipient $2500 towards their freshman year of higher education. Deadline for applying for the program is 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

Students may apply for all four scholarships by going here, downloading and populating the application form, and creating an official entry packet consisting of an essay, resume and three personal recommendations.

The thesis of the essay and spirit of the Basie’s Arts Impact Scholarship program is “The Impact of the Arts in My Life.” Deadline for this year’s applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

“We’re proud that Basie supporters like the Moser-Taboada law firm, Barnabas Health – Monmouth Medical Center, the Monmouth County Freeholders, Siciliano Landscape Company and Steven and Jaime Schultz share our belief that the arts have an indelible impact on all aspects of life, especially higher learning,” said Adam Philipson, Count Basie Theatre President and CEO.