Congratulations
The Sea Notes Choral Society’s annual scholarship program presents $1000 to a deserving high school senior who will pursue additional musical studies during their college careers. This year we are able to present three Brunswick County high school graduates with a scholar- ship. For the third year in a row, one of the awards is due to a very generous donation from the Tom and Ann Reese Foundation. Mr. and Mrs. Reese take this opportunity to encourage supporters of Sea Notes and the Arts to consider similar contributions in the future.
Our winners for 2026 are Oliver Marchio and Aiden Spruill from NBHS and Reilly Pierson from SBHS.
Oliver will be attending North Carolina Central University where he will pursue a degree in Music Industry Concentration, which focuses on how to market and sell produced music with a team. Oliver is an instrumental musician who plays trumpet, percussion, and sousaphone. After having been voted most improved band member as a junior, this past year he founded and led a pep band to perform at basketball games at North. He has implemented a plan for this group to continue after he has graduated. Besides his time in the band at North, he has performed with the local Brunswick Winds band and at UNCW honor band festivals.
Aiden will be attending University of North Carolina Wilmington where he plans on majoring in Computer Science. Aiden is a trombone player who has not only performed with his school band, but also with the Wilmington Symphonic Winds, the Brunswick Winds, several audition-based honors bands, the Wycoff Orchestra at Trinity United Methodist, and with musicians performing in area church cantatas. Aiden is excited to continue participating in music groups while completing his major.
Reilly will be attending Western Carolina University where she will major in music education. Reilly became interested in music after the WBHS band performed at her elementary school. She plays clarinet and saxophone and performed in marching, concert and jazz band at South as well as 2 years in all-district band and the Bruns- wick Winds. Her experiences in band have shown her the educational and social benefits of participation in music programs. She is excited to provide the same experiences for her own music students one day.