Dee Palmer – Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship

Congratulations to Ben Grych of DeKalb High School, recipient of the 2022 Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship award. The award is made possible each year through a Fund established at the DeKalb County Community Foundation by Dee Palmer and his supporters to award a scholarship to a high school graduate from DeKalb County who plans to pursue a career in music education.

Ben was a member of the DeKalb High School marching band, pep band, steel band, school wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and more. He was named to the Daily Chronicle All-Area First Team in golf and was an academic all-conference selection in tennis during high school. Ben currently plays with the DeKalb Municipal Band and intends to attend Northern Illinois University in the fall of 2022, majoring in music education. He is active at his church and volunteers at Corn Fest, Vacation Bible School, and Kiwanis Flag Days.

“My career aspirations and long-term goals are to become a music teacher,” Ben wrote in his application. “I also want to become a part-time performer, maybe in a jazz group of an orchestra, and would like to do something with golf on the side; I really like golf.”

Dee Palmer was director of the DeKalb Municipal Band before passing away in November 2011 at the age of 97. Palmer and his family have contributed to the musical pleasure of thousands of people in DeKalb County for over 160 years. In 2009, the Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship was set up at the Community Foundation to honor this local music legacy.

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation can be made online at or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional scholarship information, contact Becky Zantout at 815-748-5383 or b.zantout@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: Ben Grych, the 2022 Palmer Family Music Education Scholarship recipient.