Fallbrook High student receives music scholarship

Fallbrook High School senior Timothy Leonelli was presented with a $500 cash scholarship award from the Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame Foundation at the high school’s Spring Band Festival on June 6. David Larkin, president of the foundation, presented the scholarship to Leonelli, who occasionally filled in as a substitute on trombone at the Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame Orchestra’s weekly rehearsals, actually filling Larkin’s chair while he was on vacation.

Leonelli, 17, plays trombone and tuba and is a member of the high school’s symphony and jazz/rock bands and Madrigal chorus. He has been studying music since seventh grade and aspires to attend the Julliard School of Music one day. This summer, Leonelli will be on tour with the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps.

In the near future, Leonelli will travel with the Concord Blue Devils, performing and competing at Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions throughout the United States. The tour will conclude with the DCI international competitions at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on August 11. Leonelli will attend Palomar College in the fall.

The Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving the art of big band and jazz music through its many performances in San Diego County and its support of music education in local schools.