Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship

Steve Mandell (1941-2018)

About Steve Mandell​

You may not know the name, but you certainly knew his music. Winning a Grammy Award in 1973 and subsequent Gold Record, Gold and Platinum Albums as the guitarist on the infamous tune “Dueling Banjos” from the soundtrack of the movie Deliverance, that was only a small part of his musical background. Steve’s musical history started in the early 1960s, playing in Washington Square, NYC, with folk artists Judy Collins, blues legend Maria Muldaur and bluegrass mandolinist David Grisman. He continued working in the studio, on Broadway and touring into the 70s with Oscar Brand, actor/singers Ronny Cox and Theodore Bikel, country legend John Denver, banjo masters Tony Trischka and Eric Weissberg (fellow Grammy winner for Dueling Banjos), and many more. Steve had made his mark in folk and bluegrass in New York, then in the late 1980s he took his talents into Maryland and beyond. His love for the music led him to initiating a concert series at his congregation in Reisterstown, MD, judging numerous contests in MD and VA, and attending festivals and jams throughout the region.

About the Fund

This Scholarship Fund is intended to honor Steve’s memory and benefit those who want to learn/develop/enhance their music education in folk, bluegrass, old-timey and other acoustic Americana styles. Awards between $500 - $1,000 will begin in April, 2020, annually or more frequently depending fund income and based on need and intention. Applications will be reviewed and awarded by a board of knowledgeable musicians and others in the industry.

For more information, email mandellmusic2019@gmail.com

THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND is a program of Common Ground on the Hill.  Common Ground on the Hill is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations to Common Ground on the Hill and its programs are tax deductible.

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Application

To get started, download the application at the bottom of this tab.

Using 50-150 words, please explain your financial need in applying for this scholarship. What scholarship amount would help further your training or abilities in Americana acoustic music?

Using 200-400 words, please describe your current ability and involvement in Americana acoustic music. Use appropriate examples, anecdotes, history and details. This will be important in determining who receives scholarships.

Rules

Scholarship preference will be given to need and abilities but are open to any interested acoustic music enthusiast in the DelMarVaPa region and beyond. All ages are eligible. Individual funding will vary and could be up to the amount of complete tuition depending on the decision of the selection board. Maximum awards are $500 for a music camp or lessons and $1,000 for college tuition, $500 per semester, upon confirmation of class registration. Payment will be made directly to the instructor, camp or college. Multiple scholarships to a single family may be limited.

Winners will be required to submit a brief written report of their experiences and evidence of completion within 30 days after completion of the event.  The report may be shared (named or anonymously) in a poster, blog or newsletter to be determined as the annual scholarship continues.

Decisions by the selection board are final.

Return completed application by December 31, 2024 for the 2025 award.

Mail to:

Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Fund
c/o Terry Mandell
4 Greenshire Lane
Owings Mills, MD 2117-4819

Or via email: mandellmusic2019@gmail.com

Donations to the Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Fund can be made online. For more options, see below.

Donate Now

THE STEVE MANDELL MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND is a program of Common Ground on the Hill. Common Ground on the Hill is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations to Common Ground on the Hill and its programs are tax deductible.

To donate by phone, call Common Ground on the Hill at 410-857-2771.

Checks payable to:

Common Ground on the Hill

MEMO: Steve Mandell Memorial Music Scholarship Fund
2 College Hill
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD 21157

For more information, email mandellmusic2019@gmail.com

The judges had a tough time sorting through 70 entries, but they’ve come up with the winners of the Second Annual Common Ground On The Hill Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest.

The winners are:

1st Place: "Bury Me in the Sky" by William Ellis, Kim Richardson, Mary Unobsky and Willie Pevear.

2nd Place: "The Man Who Drank Your Life Away" by Kevin Hale

3rd Place (tie): "Muscadine" by John Bolten

3rd Place (tie): "I Am An Immigrant" by Jesse Palidofsky

Honorable Mentions

"Stinkbug Stomp" by David Dishneau

"Hold Your Torch" by Jim Morris

“The entries underscored the broad reach of acoustic roots music,”
Contest coordinator David Morris
“Folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, Americana and country were all represented. It was hard for the judges to listen to so many wonderful songs and pick just a handful of winners."
Contest coordinator David Morris

Songwriters David Roth, Dawn Kenney and Rod MacDonald joined Morris as judges.

The judges had a tough time sorting through 70 entries, but they’ve come up with the winners of the Second Annual Common Ground On The Hill Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest.

The winners are:

1st Place: "Bury Me in the Sky" by William Ellis, Kim Richardson, Mary Unobsky and Willie Pevear.

2nd Place: "The Man Who Drank Your Life Away" by Kevin Hale

3rd Place (tie): "Muscadine" by John Bolten

3rd Place (tie): "I Am An Immigrant" by Jesse Palidofsky

Honorable Mentions

"Stinkbug Stomp" by David Dishneau

"Hold Your Torch" by Jim Morris

“The entries underscored the broad reach of acoustic roots music,”
Contest coordinator David Morris
“Folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, Americana and country were all represented. It was hard for the judges to listen to so many wonderful songs and pick just a handful of winners."
Contest coordinator David Morris

Songwriters David Roth, Dawn Kenney and Rod MacDonald joined Morris as judges.

Traditions Weeks

If you've never been, you've missed out. Come join us for three weeks you're sure to remember.

Week 1

6/24/24
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6/28/24
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Week 2

7/7/24
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7/12/24
Download Schedule