Brown Scholarships Awarded After Weekend Competition

Two high school seniors win top prizes for instrumental and vocal excellence

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The 2026 Brown Music Competition was held over the weekend in Columbus, Indiana, and winners were chosen for the Betty F. Brown and Anna Newell Brown scholarships. Homeschooled senior Gabriel Boggs won the Betty F. Brown Award for Instrumental Excellence, while Columbus North senior Francesca Bates won the Anna Newell Brown Award for Vocal Excellence. Both students will receive a $3,500 scholarship award.

Why it matters

The Brown Music Competition is a prestigious annual event that celebrates and rewards exceptional musical talent among high school students in the local community. The scholarships provide important financial support to help these young musicians continue their musical education and development.

The details

In total, 28 students participated in the competition, which was held at the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic's Helen Haddad Hall. In addition to the top awards, several other students received scholarship prizes ranging from $500 to $3,000 for their performances in both instrumental and vocal categories.

  • The competition was held over the weekend of February 15-16, 2026.
  • The award winners were announced on February 17, 2026.

The players

Gabriel Boggs

A homeschooled senior who won the Betty F. Brown Award for Instrumental Excellence.

Francesca Bates

A Columbus North senior who won the Anna Newell Brown Award for Vocal Excellence.

Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

The organization that oversees the Brown Music Competition and scholarships.

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What they’re saying

“The Brown Music Competition is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians in our community to showcase their talents and be recognized for their hard work and dedication.”

— Gabriel Boggs, Award Winner (1010wcsi.com)

“I am honored and humbled to receive this scholarship, which will help me continue pursuing my passion for music in college.”

— Francesca Bates, Award Winner (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The scholarship recipients will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony hosted by the Heritage Fund later this spring.

The takeaway

The Brown Music Competition demonstrates the strong commitment of the Columbus, Indiana community to nurturing and supporting the musical talents of its young people, providing them with valuable opportunities and resources to help them achieve their goals.