It’s the season of gratitude, and there are many people Phantom Regiment can be thankful for this year and every year! We honor the legacy of some of our drum corps’ heroes each summer by awarding scholarships in their honor. Your donation directly supports marching members and pays tribute to those who helped create the Phantom Regiment we know and love today. Kick off your Thanksgiving celebration by visiting our scholarships page and donating today!
The following scholarship funds have been designed to give individuals that possess the talent, desire, and commitment to be a member of Phantom Regiment the ability to make that dream a reality, regardless of financial means.
Dr. Dan Richardson Memorial Scholarship
He was simply Dr. Dan.
No last name was necessary for the man who joined Phantom Regiment as a 14-year-old in 1957 and never left. He would become an instructor, board member, program coordinator, director, advisor, medical director, and donor. Most of all, however, he was our friend and biggest supporter.
After his time as program coordinator, Dr. Dan continued to serve as an advisor to the design team and focused most of his efforts on the members’ health. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors.
Dr. Dan was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2011 and was part of the 2016 inaugural class of the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame.
The Dr. Dan Richardson Memorial Scholarship honors one of Phantom Regiment’s most legendary supporters and cheerleaders. It is awarded to a veteran member of the drum corps each summer.
Vicki Auditore Memorial Scholarship
A forever fan.
Vicki (Parks) Auditore was a member of Phantom Regiment’s color guard in 1976-1978 after marching for several years in her hometown Chevaliers from Waterloo, Iowa. After her marching days were over, Vicki would join the instructional staff of the drum corps and the winter guard – becoming a fixture on the guard staff throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s.
Vicki was inducted into the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame in 2020.
The Auditore Family created a scholarship named in memory of Vicki after her passing in 2019. The scholarship is awarded to a veteran, non-ageout color guard member who exemplifies the skills, spirit, attitude, and perseverance Vicki showed during her life in drum corps, professional life, and motherhood.
Most significantly, this scholarship is a two-year award for the recipient in hopes of rewarding members for their long-term commitment to Phantom Regiment.
Marty Hurley Memorial Scholarship
A percussion legend.
Marty Hurley’s involvement with Phantom Regiment began in 1976 when he was named the percussion arranger and caption head. Hurley’s leadership led the corps to the top of the activity, finishing runner-up for the Drum Corps International world championship four times during his tenure. Except for a few years off, he held the percussion position through the 1992 season.
Many of his students would go on to teach and judge in the drum corps world; many have become terrific teachers at schools and colleges across the country.
A “Hall-of-Famer” in every sense, Marty was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame, the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame, and the DCI Hall of Fame.
The Marty Hurley Memorial Scholarship honors his outstanding legacy. It is awarded to a deserving member of the battery or front ensemble each year.
Jim Wren Honorary Scholarship
A cornerstone of the Phantom Regiment identity.
Jim Wren was a founding member of Phantom Regiment in 1956, marching soprano bugle, French horn, and serving as drum major in his final season. When the corps reformed in 1965 after suffering a devastating fire at the corps hall, Jim stepped up to the plate.
For the next 31 years, he defined the Phantom Regiment sound, cementing our classical music identity and arranging some of our most iconic productions – from the New World Symphony to Nessun Dorma. Quite simply, without Jim Wren, the Phantom Regiment we know and love today wouldn’t exist!
Jim retired as brass arranger after the 1999 season, but continued to serve on the board of directors. He was inducted into the Phantom Regiment Hall of Fame in 2016, and was elected to the position of Director Emeritus in 2017.
The Jim Wren Scholarship is fittingly awarded to a member of the Brass or Conductor section each season.
