is proud to announce the three winners to be awarded $1,000.00 scholarships.  The scholarship winners and the schools they will be attending are:

Giovanni Castiglione of Solon, attending Bowling Green State University,

Katie Lehuta of Brunswick, attending Baldwin Wallace University, 

Achille Paolina of North Royalton, attending  Cuyahoga County Community College (Tri-C)

Several applications were received (though the CBS website) and the review committee was impressed with each and every one.  The review committee was comprised of Butch Armstrong (musician and music teacher), Michael Bay (musician and music teacher), Linda Calkins (CBS scholarship committee member), Susanne Mayer (CBS board member) and Elliot Philipson (CBS member and former Case Western Reserve professor).  Each reviewer was provided with the applicant’s essay identified only by an application number.  Each was reviewed on a scale of 1 to 5 for the following criteria:

1. What does blues music mean to them – their knowledge of blues music. The essay must contain some reference to blues music. Do they have any knowledge? Can you tell that they at least may have spent a little time researching blues music?
2. What role will they play in bringing music to the people – there are many ways in which we may bring music to the people – playing an instrument, producing a record, writing music, repairing instruments, music law. Review this aspect based on how they’ve stated they will bring music to the people and the sincerity and believability of their response. Have they tied in their educational curricula to how they will bring music to the people?
3. Grammar, spelling and clarity of content. They do not necessarily have to be long and eloquent.  However, they should have taken the time to ensure that there are no spelling errors and basic rules of grammar have been followed.

The CBS scholarship program is funded primarily through the proceeds of the CBS Annual Blues Cruise, membership, merchandise sales and other fundraising events.  CBS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and you may also make tax-deductible contributions directly to the CBS Scholarship Fund.  The fund may only be used for scholarship and educational opportunities, which was the reason for creating a separate account. About The Cleveland Blues Society The Cleveland Blues Society is non-profit group dedicated to the preservation of blues music in the Greater Cleveland Area and Northeast Ohio.  Through monthly blues jams, the annual Blues Cruise, member picnics, community support, Hall of Fame Awards, and the newly introduced Scholarship and Education Fund, the Society endeavors to grow knowledge and appreciation for the blues.  The CBS newsletter spotlights events and includes features on local blues musicians, CD reviews and pictures of events.  Contacts William Koteles – Cleveland Blues Society President Linda Calkins – Chairman, Scholarship Committee Cleveland Blues Society scholarship@clevelandblues.org   For promotion and marketing opportunities with The Cleveland Blues Society, contact: Susanne Mayer, Board Member at Large at sm@clevelandblues.org