Savannah Hopkin awarded the 2024 Jim Follett Band Scholarship from the Utah Music Foundation
Savannah Hopkin
June 2, 2024
Salt Lake City, UT — Utah Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to musical students from Utah communities, is thrilled to announce Savannah Hopkin as the recipient of the 2024 Jim Follett Band scholarship. Savannah is a 2024 graduate of Roy High School in Roy, Utah and will be attending Weber State University this fall.
"My name's Savannah Hopkin, and I'm beyond excited to receive the Jim Follett Band Scholarship!” says Ms. Hopkin. “I have been playing flute for nine years, and picked up saxophone and percussion in my high school years. I am planning on attending Weber State University studying Music Education this fall, with the hope of being a high school band director. I hope to inspire my students to grow as musicians in the way Mr. Follett has inspired his. I'm honored to be a recipient of this scholarship!”
This $500 scholarship is awarded each year based on the applicant’s involvement in band, a recorded audition, and a brief essay. This short essay invites students to reflect on how band has influenced their life and how they will be involved in band going forward. The application process opens each spring and applicants are invited to apply at www.utahmusicfoundation.org.
To view prior year recipients of this and other scholarships, please visit the Utah Music Foundation website.
For more information, please contact: info@utahmusicfoundation.org
About Jim Follett
Jim Follett is been a band director in Davis County, Utah for over 20 years. He has dedicated his life to music and to teaching others. Jim has touched the lives of many students in the classroom and has inspired them to pursue music both in higher education and in their community.
When interviewing former students about the impact Follett has had on their life, they replied:
"Follett was a very knowledgeable band director and musician, who specialized in taking individual students, sometimes with minimal talent, and turning them into a great band together. He led by example and made sure to keep the positive atmosphere of the band a priority."
"Mr. Follett is a large part of inspiring me to continue playing. His encouragement of me and my music means so much. I almost quit in high school and I am so glad that he convinced me to stay because it has changed my life."
"Follett meets students where they're at and encourages them to find joy and meaning in their learning and musical journeys. His passion for what he does sparks curiosity and invites his students to explore and strive for excellence."
"Mr. Follett made music fun. Follett cares so much about his students and always pushed us to be better because he believes that we are capable. There was never a point in time that I thought I couldn't play a part because I wasn't good enough, I just needed to break it down and start slow. Mr. Follett supported all our dreams, and was there to be not only our band director but also a friend and listening ear. I appreciate everything I learned from being in Mr. Follett's band for 3 years and will forever be grateful for his guidance."
This scholarship is to honor him and the impact he has had on his students' lives, and to share that impact to music students throughout Utah.
About Utah Music Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Utah Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in Utah reach their musical and academic potential. Utah Music Foundation offers scholarships to musical high school students to help alleviate the financial burden of their college education. Utah Music Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a public charity with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Visit www.UtahMusicFoundation.org for more information.