WHITEHALL — The Walk the Beat organization awarded 33 local students with $6,500 in scholarship money and instruments Monday afternoon at The Playhouse at White Lake. Local choir and band students have the opportunity to apply for the award. Winners receive an instrument of their choice, such as an electric guitar or saxophone. They can also request funds for music lessons, money to aid in band fees and scholarship money for band camps.
Walk the Beat was introduced to White Lake three years ago, after community members experienced the music festival, which originated in Grand Haven. The organization's main responsibility is putting together the annual festival showcasing various music acts, which will take place Saturday, July 19 this year. In addition to the festival, the nonprofit aims to aid local musical students and encourage their pursuit of the arts.
In the past, the nonprofit was directed by Kevin Goff. This year, he passed the reins onto fellow board member Sara Kane-Smart.
“I have been involved for two years in the community giving program and in raffles,” Kane-Smart said. “When Kevin decided he was going to step back and take a different role, I said I would be Walk the Beat’s executive director. I wanted to make it smaller. We had 19 venues in four hours. It’s really hard to get to that many bands in that amount of time. This year, we are aiming for 10 venues or bands. I would like to expand it a bit more, but just not have as many.”
Walk the Beat will announce more information about the music festival as the event approaches this summer.
