William "Bill" McKee Legacy Music Award
William Bill McKee was a beloved band director at Memphis Central High School who devoted his career to inspiring students through music and mentorship.
Mr. McKee devoted his career to inspiring students not only to excel in music but also to grow as leaders, teammates, and people of character. His lessons reached far beyond the notes on a page, teaching perseverance, discipline, and the joy of working together toward a common goal. It’s critical for his legacy and passion to live on.
This scholarship aims to honor the life of William “Bill” McKee by supporting young musicians in their educational journey and encouraging excellence, leadership, and a love for music—the very values Mr. McKee instilled in his students.
Any high school senior at Memphis Central High School who participates in band or music at school may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they will attend a college, university, or trade school and if they demonstrate leadership, integrity, perseverance, and commitment to community.
To apply, write a short essay in response to one of the prompts below about your experiences with music or band.
Pick one of 4 topics to write at least a one-page essay about:
-Describe how your experience in band or music has shaped who you are today. What lessons have you learned through music that will continue to influence your future?
-Band is more than music—it’s discipline, teamwork, and growth. Share a story of how being in band has impacted your life and prepared you for the next chapter.
-Music often teaches us life lessons beyond the notes we play. How has your participation in music or band influenced your character, your goals, or the way you connect with others?
-Reflect on your journey as a musician at Memphis Central High. How has your involvement in band influenced your personal growth, and how will you carry those lessons forward into your future?
Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students
FAQ
The application deadline is Apr 30, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jun 1, 2026.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jun 1, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.