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!
Victoria Ieda, Winner of the 2025 David R. Colkitt Memorial Scholarship Competition
Victoria is an accomplished French Horn player who has a passion that extends beyond individual playing, She actively participates in several prestigious ensembles and chamber groups such as the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, the Clarence High School Wind Ensemble, the Clarence High School Orchestras, the Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra, the Clarence High School Woodwind Quintet, and the BRAVO International Chamber Music program.
Victoria has also taken part in numerous All-Counties, and Area All-States, and recently took part in the 2023 New York All-State Band and the 2024 New York All-State Orchestra. During the past few summers, Victoria participated in Kinhaven Music School in Vermont, where Victoria played both violin and horn in the Junior session of 2021 as well as the senior sessions in 2022, 2023, and 2024, studying under Carolyn Wahl. Victoria currently studies horn with Jacek Muzyk from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as violin with Andrea Blanchard Cone from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Outside of music, Victoria enjoys photography, reading, skiing, and sailing.
Victoria Ieda has been studying music since age three. Growing up in a musical household, Vic started the violin through Buffalo Suzuki Strings, a program that started the lifelong love for musical expression. At age nine, a pivotal moment occurred when Victoria started horn, choosing the instrument for its rich and heroic sound, and exploring a new path separate from the generations of string-playing family. This marked the beginning of a new and exciting musical journey that has now led Vic to pursue a career in Horn Performance.