LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE: Show us some love with a gift to the Community Fund today! Learn More
2026 Competition Date
Saturday, February 14
Haddad Hall
High school sophomores through seniors who are Bartholomew County residents are eligible to compete in the annual contests for scholarship awards. The first-place performer in each senior competition will receive a $3,500 award and may be given an invitation to perform with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.
Independent judges from area colleges and universities will critique participants’ technique, interpretation and general musicianship.
Anna Newell Brown was born in 1888 in Provo, Utah, into a family of nine children. Music was an important part of her early family life.
In 1912, she married Raymond Brown of Columbus, who at that time was an electrical engineer assisting in bringing electric power to Utah. The couple moved to Columbus when Raymond returned to manage the family newspaper.
Anna became involved in many local activities, including membership on the first Bartholomew County Welfare Board, where she served for 23 years, and the Foundation for Youth. With her beautiful contralto voice, she was a popular performer throughout the area and was the featured soloist at the Columbus Symphony’s first concert in 1922.
She died in 1972 after a lengthy illness. Anna’s son, Robert, and his wife, Betty, created this scholarship awards program in 1985 in her honor.
“It was an amazing experience to be recognized for my musical abilities. I highly encourage students to participate in the Brown Competition — not only is it a fantastic way to get scholarship money, but it also provides a great opportunity to practice singing in front of a crowd, specifically judges. This competition prepares students for future college auditions. It is also a great opportunity to perform. It is not every day that students get to show off their talents and get awarded for them. The Brown Competition helps build musicians abilities and provides motivation to do better every year that they attend this competition.”
2025 Senior Vocal Winner
2025 Natalie Cantu
2024 Gavin Foley
2023 Molly Hotek
2022 Andrei Minut
2021 Reagan Lykins
2020 Grant Jackson
2019 Julia Iorio
2018 Joseph Robinson
2017 Sarah Pankratz
2016 Luke Major
2015 Tayler Seymour
2014 Brian Pierson
2013 Alexis Willard
2012 Steven Greathouse
2011 Rachel Ozols
2010 Christopher Pratt
2009 Caleb Blackerby
2008 Kristen Wright
2007 Chaé Colbert
2006 Sharon Sung
2005 Katie Hamilton
2004 Blake Kendall
2003 Scott Kahlenbeck
2002 Michael Moore
2001 Leslie Davidson
2000 Elisabeth Wire
1999 Brandi Surface
1998 Alyssa Finke
1997 Alison Bates
1996 Joel Burbrink
1995 Jodi Lemmon
1994 Nicole Whittaker
1993 Rachel Mercer
1992 Lesley Cooper
1991 Julianna Jermone
1990 Katherine Hand
1989 Tracy McCreary
1988 Brian Lane
1987 Traci Tanguma
1986 Joanna Walls
1985 Siegrid Marks
Alice “Betty” Frantz Brown was born in 1923 in Marion, Indiana. Music was an important part of her early life, as her father was a well-known vocalist in the area. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Indiana University, she accepted a job in Columbus as an elementary school music teacher.
In 1947, she married Robert Brown, the son of Anna Brown, and was also active in the family newspaper business.
In addition to her vocal expertise, Betty played the piano, organ, and recorder. She directed both adult and youth choirs in local churches and was in several area Madrigal performances. Betty participated in numerous community organizations throughout her life, including Heritage Fund, Columbus Arts Council, Franklin College Trustees, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
She died in 1991 after an eight-year battle with cancer. Robert established this scholarship awards program in her memory in 1992.
Robert N. Brown was the longtime chairman of Home News Enterprises, The Republic’s parent company. He also served as chairman of the Heritage Fund Board from 1980 to 1983, during which the foundation awarded its first grant—a $500 award for the Art in Public Places Program.
We are honored to help continue the Brown Family’s legacy.
“It felt great being one of the senior winners. While I knew I could’ve done better, the hard work still showed and I ended up winning! It also helped take a little bit of the burden off of purchasing my own tuba. Having the chance to perform in front of others is always a great experience. Winning or losing doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is if you grow from it.”
2025 Senior Instrumental Winner
2025 Santi De Luna
2024 Jasmine Yang
2023 Darren Li
2022 Matthew Liu
2021 Minjung Kim
2020 Erica Song
2019 Alex Farrar
2018 Machi Takeda
2017 Clayton Stine
2016 Devan Rhoades
2015 Michael Freed
2014 Erica Sun
2013 Amanda Sun
2012 Hiroki Kato
2011 Daniel Shao
2010 Ashley Miller
2009 Jules Maxwell Rogers
2008 Elaine MacAslan
2007 Kristin Cazenave
2006 Patrick Vogt
2005 Garrett Myers
2004 Rebecca Eikenbary
2003 Stephen Schappler
2002 Jessamyn Schertz
2001 Rowena Gutana
2000 Vanessa Myers
1999 Jacqueline Peymani
1998 Ed Alyanak
1997 Isaac Willett
1996 Tomotaka Watanabe
1995 Keyvan Peymani
1994 Brandon Cutrell
1993 Annie Crump
Student vocalists or instrumentalists who are high school seniors and reside in Bartholomew County are eligible to compete. The Brown is divided in senior and underclass divisions for both competitions.
Instrumental – performance should not exceed 6 minutes
Senior contestants must perform one of the following:
Underclass contestants must perform one of the following:
The competition will include the music instrument areas of woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and piano/organ. Contestants may perform on one instrument only.
Acceptable instruments include: Baritone or Tuba, Alto Saxophone, Cornet or Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, French Horn, Bass, Bassoon, Trombone, Cello, Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Flute or Piccolo, Harp, Oboe or English Horn, Drum Set, Viola, Marimba, Violin, Multiple Set-Up, Snare Drum, Timpani, Xylophone.
Vocal – combined length of both selections must not exceed 8 minutes
Senior contestants must perform two selections from Group I of the state (ISSMA) solo listing or comparable to Group I of the state solo listing.
Underclass contestants must perform two solo works comparable in difficulty to pieces from Group I or II of the state contest solo listing. One selection’s original language must be English.
Click on the link to access our application site. Please be sure to choose the correct application (Vocal or Instrumental).
As part of the application, instructors who recommend a student are asked to check competition selections and composers for spelling errors and accuracy received via an emailed request sent by student through application. These completed instructor verifications must also be received by the application deadline.
Performances will be timed, and evaluations may be affected by exceeding the time limit.
Independent judges from area colleges and universities will critique technique, interpretation, and general musicianship. All competitors will receive their evaluation sheets from the judges following awards.
Contestants should arrange for their own accompanists, if desired, who must be available at the scheduled performance times. If possible, contestants should have made arrangements with accompanists at the time of applying. If TBD (to be determined) the competitor MUST inform Heritage Fund of the accompanist ASAP following the deadline. This is a mandatory expectation for scheduling purposes. No electronic accompaniment will be permitted.
Competitors will be notified of their performance times at least one week in advance of the competition.
It is recommended performers wear dress that is formal, polished and professional – think recital, interview or audition attire. A clean, all-black outfit is always a safe and classic choice for musicians. Your outfit should reflect the event but does not need to be overly formal. Most importantly, wear something you feel comfortable in so you can focus on your performance!
All competitors will be required to bring three (3) copies of their original performance score, including any accompaniment and transposing instrument instructions, to present to each of the judges the day of the competition. Please mark copies as “Temporary Copy.”
There will be limited rooms open upstairs. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be respectful of others waiting their turn.
If a competitor can no longer perform, he/she is asked to provide Heritage Fund with as much notice as possible in advance of the competition.
Competitors will perform according to the order listed on the schedule. Please notify HF staff upon your arrival. Warm-up rooms will be open upstairs. If you choose to warm up, be sure you are back at the hall ready to perform at your scheduled time.
When it’s your turn to perform, you may enter the stage and begin tuning (if necessary) once the competitor before you exits the stage. Please present your sheet music to the judges as you approach the stage.
Performers should watch for the judges to signal they are ready for you to begin.
Please introduce yourself (name, school, grade) and state the name and composer of your piece. Vocalists, after completing your first performance, please wait for judges to indicate they are ready for you to proceed and state the name and composer of your second piece.
The public is invited to attend the competition. Audience members should not enter or exit the hall during performances. No flash photography is allowed, and we ask those taking photos to be courteous to others in the space.
The awards ceremonies will take place following the senior divisions.
All competitors will receive their evaluation sheets from the judges. Winners will receive their paperwork that must be submitted by the deadline to receive disbursement of their awards. Failure to turn in the requirement materials may result in forfeiture of awards.
Scholarship funds may be used to support a wide range of music-related expenses that enhance a student’s musical growth. Examples include but are not limited to*:
*Please note: Depending on fund amount and disbursement method, Tax Form 1099 or receipts may be required.
Application Opens
October 1, 2025
Application Deadline
December 12, 2025
Competition Date
February 14, 2026
