Scholarship Spotlight

Wolfgang Vergara

2023 Gary S. Wilmer / RAMI Music Scholarship

The 2023 Gary S. Wilmer scholarship winner, Wolfgang Vergara, is graduating from Hononegah High School this spring.  He’s been an Illinois All State Musician for the last two years, as well as a Chandler Starr competition winner and a National Merit Scholar finalist. Wolfgang began to play piano with his father’s direction in grade school,  gained an impromptu following fooling around on his middle school teacher’s classroom keyboard. In high school joining the Jazz band introduced him not only to the idea of improvisation but to the joy of ensemble performance. Read more.

RAMI Organization

The RAMI Organization was created for the purpose of awarding music scholarships to deserving young musicians, to provide financial assistance for the study of music to deserving young musicians, and to present and/or sponsor music education programs and events.

Each year the RAMI Organization hosts several events to help fund the Gary S. Wilmer RAMI Music Scholarship, The RAMI Young Artists Music Scholarship, and to honor the local music community. Our premier event is the RAMI Awards Ceremony is held in April each year. The RAMI Awards recognize and celebrate the efforts of groups and individuals who have involvement in the local music community.

The RAMI Organization has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships and music education programs to over 50 students.

If you would like to become involved in helping us support our music scholarships, music education programs, and sponsored programs/events contact us at ramicommittee @ ramiawards.com.