Baldwin Pops schedules April scholarship concerts in Robertsdale & Fairhope

Baldwin Pops schedules April scholarship concerts in Robertsdale & Fairhope

The Baldwin Pops Band will present two John Allen Memorial Scholarship concerts in April. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 the band will play at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale. The second concert will take place 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 at Henry George Park in Fairhope. Both concerts are free. The Baldwin Pops Band sponsors an annual scholarship contest for high school seniors from Baldwin County who plan to continue their musical involvement in college. Ten students from Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Robertsdale, and Spanish Fort High Schools will perform with the band. The winner of the John Allen Memorial Scholarship will be announced at the April 22 concert. Those students are: Erika Horne, clarinet, from Daphne High School; Ben Brunson, trombone, and Sam Butler, trumpet, from Fairhope High School; Imani Williams, bass clarinet, from Foley High School; Avrionna Erlandson, flute, Blake Odom, percussion, Catherine Power, french horn, Houston Hughes, percussion, and Rhian Pactor, euphonium, from Robertsdale High School; Mason Pitre, french horn, from Spanish Fort High School.
When he passed away in April of 2003 at age 80, John Allen was the oldest member of the Baldwin Pops. He started playing tuba at the age of 74 in the 6th grade band at Fairhope Middle School. He progressed to the 8th grade band and continued playing with that grade until his death. Allen not only became a student of the tuba, he became an inspiration to his fellow students. When the Baldwin Pops Band formed in 1997, John Allen became a charter member. The scholarship fund was named in memory of him.
Dr. Jason Rinehart will conduct the Baldwin Pops in performances of The Best of Henry Mancini arranged by Johnnie Vinson. Guests at the Fairhope concert should bring chairs or blankets and are encouraged to bring a picnic supper. After intermission, there will be a children’s parade with flags. The Checkered Tablecloth Award will be presented to the person or group with the most interesting picnic setup. Donations for the John Allen Memorial Scholarship will be gratefully accepted at both concerts or by mail to Baldwin Pops Band, P.O.Box 38, Fairhope, AL 36533. More info: baldwinpops.com, Facebook or call 251-987-5757.
Pictured: High School Seniors participating in the John Allen Memorial Scholarship Concerts include Top row: Blake Odom, Mason Pitre, Sam Butler; Middle row: Erika Horne, Ben Brunson, Houston Hughes; Bottom row: Rhian Pactor, Imani Williams, Catherine Power, Avrionna Erlandson. (Photo by Alec Thigpen)