The Greater Des Moines Community Band (GDMCB) is pleased to announce that Ellie Prier has been named the 2025 winner of the Vic Anderson Legacy Music Scholarship.
“The scholarship committee was impressed not only by Ellie’s musical maturity in her performance of the Artunian Trumpet Concerto, but also by her dedication to her craft and her passion for sharing the joy of music with others,” said Jessica Heidbreder, GDMCB scholarship coordinator.
Ellie is a junior at Norwalk High School and has played trumpet for seven years. She is an active member of the Concert Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band. Ellie has played in the SCIBA Honor Band, Drake Honor Jazz Band, Conference Honor Band, and participated in the Drake Honor Band. She also has been selected to the Iowa All-State Band. In the summer of 2025, she toured Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music. Ellie’s long-term goal is to attend Iowa State University and pursue a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Music.
Two other scholarship applicants were awarded honorable mention: Maya Cataldi and Hagen Reisetter. Maya is a freshman at Des Moines Roosevelt High School, having studied piano since age five and competed in the IMTA Festival for six consecutive years. In addition to piano, she has played trumpet for four years, achieving several superior ratings, selection to SCIBA Honor Band, and the opportunity to perform in the All-City Honor Band.
Hagen, a sophomore at Norwalk High School, is a versatile musician, playing French horn in concert band, mellophone in marching band, and both trumpet and guitar in jazz band. He has been actively involved in the Solo and Ensemble Festival throughout middle and high school as both a soloist and ensemble member. Hagen was selected to the Little Hawkeye Conference Honor Band in both 8th and 9th grade. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue his musical journey by playing in college and beyond, further developing his artistry and sharing his passion for music with others.
“With the GDMCB scholarship program, we are investing in the next generation of musicians by supporting enrichment opportunities that spark creativity, build confidence, and deepen their passion for music beyond the school day,” Heidbreder said.
The Greater Des Moines Community Band offers scholarships to secondary school students wanting to further their musical studies while in high school. Scholarship dollars are to be used for private lessons, music, etc. Recommendations can be made by any band member or band director of a deserving student. Scholarship winners will have the opportunity to play with the band if desired.