Alex Harmon, a rising eighth grade musician at TSA, was awarded one of six scholarships from the Bob Barnette Memorial Foundation today. The foundation recognizes students in Bibb, Jones, Houston, and Monroe county public and private schools who have a 3.0 GPA or higher and are involved in music programs at their school. Scholarship funds may be used for private lessons, summer camps, or the purchase of instruments.

“We were incredibly impressed with Alex’s application and letters of recommendation from Mr. Benson and Dr. Monte Cole. Our panel feels that Alex has the potential to pursue music at a higher level in the future,” commented program representative, Annette Barnette.

Harmon plans to use his scholarship to help fund his private lessons with Dr. Monte Cole of Mercer University who assists with Alex’s saxophone technique, music fundamentals, honor band auditions, and jazz-style improvisation.

About Bob Barnette

Bob Barnette began playing trumpet in elementary school, ultimately playing the acoustic and electric bass, tuba, trumpet and flugel horn. After graduation from Lanier High School of Macon in 1957 he attended the University of Georgia on a full double-bass and trumpet scholarship. After graduation, he spent 30 years in music education. Mr. Barnette was the Band Director at Central High School and conducted the highly-acclaimed Sugar Bear Band. His career was exemplary, with both the Mayor’s Office and County Commissioners issuing proclamations in his honor at his retirement in 1994.

Bob believed strongly that he was blessed to have the career of his dreams and his dream was to help others find a love for music and performance. Toward that goal, at his passing on April 14, 2016, his family established the Bob Barnette Memorial Music Scholarship in loving memory.