The late Olin Butt was a renowned music teacher and band leader and, as owner of the Music Mart in Bellefonte and State College, provided musical instruments and supplies to thousands of musicians from 1948 to 1975. Several of his former music students established The Olin Butt Music Achievement Award in the year of Olin's passing as a tribute to his years of service in the music education of Centre County's youth. Local 660 of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) managed the fund initially, and after opening the fund with Centre Foundation, the organization continues to raise money and is honored to have this continued relationship with the fund. The Achievement Award recipients, one from each of the five Centre County school districts, are chosen by a consensus of all the directors at each school during the annual CCMEA choir and band festival each spring. The students are chosen based on their talent, dedication, and potential to benefit from private instruction.