Kutztown University senior music major Peter Snyder of Lenhartsville was awarded the Freddie Gruber Scholarship from the Percussive Arts Society.

The annual scholarship, which receives auditions from percussion students across the world, rewards the winning college or university student with $2,500 toward tuition.

To be considered eligible for the scholarship, a student must submit a video consisting of a performance demonstrating the essential elements of drum set performance.

“It took a lot of encouragement and nagging, mostly encouragement, from my father to even enter it, and when I did, I wasn’t expecting anything to really come of it,” said Snyder on his applying for the scholarship. “The money could not have come at a better time, too.”

Snyder is not only a residing member of the band, but also of the Kutztown community.

“Growing up here, I didn’t know much about the school, but would come to see the jazz band and percussion ensemble concerts every semester,” he said.

His exposure to the Kutztown music program would later inspire him to join the percussion ensemble.

“It was all a little bit thanks to Dr. Frank Kumor, who’s played a huge role in my musical life,” Snyder said. “The opportunities presented to me through this program have been monumental, and I couldn’t be any more proud to say that I am a student here.”