David R. Colkitt
To honor a beloved member of the Buffalo Silver Band who suddenly passed, The Buffalo Silver Band renamed its annual scholarship competition: The David R. Colkitt Memorial Scholarship. Until his untimely passing in 2023, David Colkitt was the longest continuously serving member of the Buffalo Silver Band. He joined the BSB in 1981 as an alto horn player, later moving throughout the cornet section until he settled in as principal 2nd cornet. He was a quiet leader who preferred to do rather than talk about what needed to be done.
He played tenor horn because that was what was needed at the time. He volunteered to play solo, second, third and repiano cornets because that was what was needed. He always thought about the good of the bandswith which he played and always contributed to the very best of his ability. As a retired teacher from Akron, it is not surprising that Dave considered the annual scholarship and the side-by-side concerts the BSB plays with area school bands his favorite performances. Daniel E. Plachta, a long-time friend of Dave’s, has helped put the scholarship on firmer footing with a very generous leadership donation to start a permanent scholarship fund. You can help!
How to Apply
Each Fall, college bound brass players are invited to apply for the Scholarship. One applicant will win a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist on our March concert. This scholarship competition is open to any college-bound high school senior. Majoring in Music is NOT Required.
Auditions will be held in January at the ECMEA Audition Festival.
Click Here for more information and to Apply!
Lillian Moore, Winner of the 10th Annual David R. Colkitt Memorial Scholarship Competition
Congratulations to Lillian Moore winner of the 10th Annual David R. Colkitt Memorial Scholarship Competition! Lillian Moore is currently a senior at Pioneer High School. She has played the horn for eight years and currently studies under Jacek Muzyk of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She is extremely passionate about orchestral ensembles and currently serves as the principal horn of both the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra and the Southtowns Youth Orchestra. She has also been a member of many All-County and Area All-State ensembles, and most recently was a member of the 2025 All-State Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she was given the opportunity to perform as the featured soloist for Southtowns Youth Orchestra.