Saint Ignatius Band Program Receives John J. Adams Scholarship for New Instruments

The Saint Ignatius High School Band Program has been named a recipient of the John J. Adams Scholarship, a grant that will provide $10,000 for new instruments to support our student musicians.

The scholarship honors the late John J. Adams (1952–2023), a Cleveland legend best known as the devoted baseball fan who brought his bass drum to Cleveland Stadium and Progressive Field for nearly five decades. From 1973 until his passing, Adams became the heartbeat of Cleveland baseball—his steady rhythm echoing through thousands of games and generations of fans.

But as the scholarship’s name reminds us, John’s legacy is more than a drum.

The John J. Adams Scholarship Fund provides financial support to students, individuals, and organizations in the arts—including music, dance, and visual and industrial art. Through this fund, Adams’ lifelong dedication to creativity, community, and service continues to make a meaningful impact across Northeast Ohio.

Saint Ignatius Director of Instrumental Music Dan Hamlin shared that the Band Program plans to use some of this funding to purchase new percussion equipment—a fitting tribute to Adams’ legacy as a drummer and lifelong supporter of the arts.

The new instruments will enhance the musical experience for current and future Wildcats, ensuring that students have the tools they need to perform and grow as musicians.

John Adams’ beat may have filled Cleveland’s ballparks, but his rhythm lives on in the hearts of those who continue to make music and bring people together through the arts.