Vocal Scholarships

Vocal scholarships are given away by almost all colleges and universities that offer music or vocal courses and that wish to attract talented students that might not afford a college education without the help of a scholarship for music voice.

Schools that have established a formidable reputation usually have many attractive vocal college scholarships that can attract the best talent from around the country and world. This is a win-win deal for both the college or university and the student. The college gets the best talent, thereby it sustains its reputation and makes a charitable act, whilst the student receives a huge opportunity to pursue the career he/she wants and is able to attend the best courses.

Voice scholarships are usually given away through a contest. No matter what state you live in or if you’re a native US citizen or not, you’ll surely find a music voice scholarship that can enhance your vocals while teaching you more about music.

For example, the Chad Williamson Memorial Vocal Scholarship offers voice scholarships of up to $500, but it’s only available in Pennsylvania, at the Slippery Rock University. Don’t worry, the music degree programs offered by this university are modern and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Many of the graduates of this university are working in the domain either as teachers in public or private schools or in the entertainment industry.

Another great one is the Travis Hannah Vocal Scholarship and it’s awarded for outstanding vocal talent and musicianship. Almost forgot; a new announcement has recently been made that Alltech has partnered with the University of Kentucky’s Opera Theatre department to present the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The total amount of the music voice scholarships that are given away through this contest is worth more than $300,000. Of course, the competition will consist of vocal performances or favorite songs or areas of the students.

In order to get a vocal scholarship, it’s best to check out the websites of the colleges your wish to apply for. These websites contain detailed information on the vocal music scholarships that a certain college or university has available along with other contact information and requirements. You can get in touch with the professors from that college and see if they can help you to apply for a voice college scholarship. But don’t expect an easy ride. You will have to show them you have the needed talent. It’s pretty competitive out there, especially if the college is the best in the field.

As mentioned above, many times if not all, you may be asked to give an audition in order to receive scholarships for voice. Hence, be prepared and rehears because the competition can be tougher than you thought. Believe in your talent and have confidence in yourself and sing your heart out in front of that audition committee.

College Music Scholarships

While there are numerous college music scholarships available, many of them are very small, in terms of the award amount, considering the level of talent that you must have, and the work that you must do in order to apply for them. However, there are some very important scholarships for music that you should not overlook if you are serious about attending college on music scholarships.

Start by applying to the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. This organization awards more than $3 million annually in music scholarships and awards to talented students, and instrumental music and voice are both covered, as well as other performing arts. You must be either seventeen or eighteen years old to be eligible, however.

You need to be aware of various church music scholarships. While some of these scholarships are denomination related, such as the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1000, available, some are not. Some are career oriented, meaning that you plan to pursue a career or devotion to providing or participating in a church music program, such as the Louise Miller Scholarship for music, available through the American Guild of Organists – Greater Bridgeport Chapter in the amount of $2000.

If you will be choosing music as your major in college, make sure that you check into major specific music scholarships, such as the Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship at the National Federation of Music Clubs. Make sure that you check out additional scholarships in music offered through the NFMC to ensure that you have applied for all of the NFMC scholarships for which you are eligible.

There are many state specific music scholarships available. This means, in most cases, that you must be a resident of that state in order to apply, often regardless of where you will be attending college. Some of the more notable state specific scholarships for music include the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship in South Carolina, available through the South Carolina Department of Education in the amount of $4000, the Iowa Scholarship for the Arts, in the amount of $2000, the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award, in the amount of $3000, and the James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund available for music students in Texas, Missouri, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, in the amount of $2000.

If you will be in the marching band at the college that you will be attending, note that many college level bands do have music scholarship programs for their members, although not all members may be eligible, and different scholarship programs will have different eligibility requirements. Some will additionally require that there is an actual financial need, as well as actual talent.

Additionally, if you want a music scholarship, you should check with your high school music or band teacher, the music department at the college you plan to attend, local organizations, such as the Elks club, your church and other local churches, your state Department of Education, and all state and national music organizations. Also be on the lookout for music competitions that offer college music scholarships as prizes, including instrument and vocal contests.

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Teacher Music Scholarships

Do you have musical talent? Do you plan to become a music teacher or a band director in the future? If so, there are many music scholarships for future teachers that exist to help you pay for your education. Music is a vital part of education, for numerous reasons, and schools are in great need of qualified music educators. Here are some music scholarships for teachers that you should consider. 

First note that since you are planning to become a teacher, you should take advantage of the numerous teachers scholarships and grants that is available for future teachers, as a whole. It is important to realize, however, that many of these particular scholarships and grants for teachers are only available to those who are majoring in education, and not majoring in music. Therefore, you may have to make a hard choice regarding the actual major that you select, in this instance, and give a great deal of weight to the number of lucrative scholarships and grants that are available based solely on your major in college.

With that said, in terms of being a music major who intends to teach music in a private or public school, consider the Fred Rogers Scholarships for future teachers if you will be considering elementary music education as a career. Three awards are given annually, in the amount of $10,000, making this a very important music scholarship. Note that the award is not music specific, but children specific, and make sure that you state your desire to mentor young children through music on your application.

Next, consider the Sinfonia Scholarship Program. This program consists of music scholarships in the amounts of $2500, $2000, $1500, $1000, and $500, and there are different scholarships for future teachers available, with different eligibility requirements.

It is vital that you compete in music competitions. Many of these competitions offer scholarship money as prizes, and typically, this is where you will get the largest music scholarship award amounts. For example, the National Federation of Music holds annual competitions with awards ranging up to $10,000. Also check out the music scholarship competitions arranged by the National Federation of Music Clubs, at http://www.nfmc-music.org/Competitions/CompetitnsAwards.htm. There are multiple competitions and awards available here.

Make sure that you check for teachers scholarships offered by fraternities and sororities as well, such as the music scholarship opportunities offered by Sigma Alpha Iota. These scholarships can be very beneficial, and while you will need to be a member of the fraternity or sorority in many cases, this isn’t true in all cases.

Finally, check with the music department at the school you will be attending, or are attending. There are countless music scholarship opportunities for potential music teachers offered directly through the music department, and the only way to apply for many of these scholarships is through the music department at your school. Also check for instrument and voice specific scholarships, and all music scholarships that are only available to residents of your home state as well. When looking for music scholarships for future teachers; think scholarships for teachers & music scholarships separately first!

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College Music Scholarships – where to Look

Music Scholarships

Whether you have an immense musical talent, or plan to enroll in college to go into a music related field, there are several music scholarships that you may be eligible for. College is expensive, and in terms of an education that includes music, there will be additional fees for private lessons and such that can quickly become quite costly. You need all of the college music scholarships – and other types of scholarships – for which you are eligible.

If you are seeking scholarships for music, start with the BMI Foundation. The BMI Foundation administers numerous music related scholarship programs, grant programs and competitions with music scholarship or award money available. Each competition or musical scholarship program offers varying award amounts, with different eligibility requirements. This is absolutely the first place that anyone seeking music scholarships should start their search.

From there, you should look at specific scholarships in music, such as music scholarships for particular styles of music. An example of this is the scholarship program offered by the Pittsburg Jazz Society. Also seek out scholarships in music for specific musical instruments, such as the Jack B. Moore Flute Scholarship.

Look into college music scholarships at the school that you will attend, or are already attending. For Example, George Washington University offers the George Washington University Presidential Arts Scholarship in Music – worth up to $7500 in tuition, and renewable for four years. Bowling Green State University offers the Music Talent Award, in varying amounts.

You may even get a music scholarship without an immense amount of talent, and without majoring in any type of music as well – if you are good enough to make it into the college band. For example, the University of Mississippi offers Band Scholarships for those who are performing in the band, but these musical scholarships are awarded based on your performing ability and potential contribution to the band.

Do you have musical talent and plan to teach music as well? Consider applying for the numerous music scholarships offered by the Texas Music Educators Association. At the same time, make sure that you inquire about other teaching related scholarships as well, as opposed to music teacher scholarships.

Do you play the Piano? Do you love Chopin? You need to take part in the National Chopin Piano Competition, but it is only held every five years. This is a music scholarship program to enable you to spend four years preparing for this scholarship however.

In fact, there are many lucrative competitions that offer either very large cash awards – which can be used for college – or very nice college music scholarship awards, which may be paid directly to you, or to your school, and must be used to pay for college or college expenses. One example of such competitions is the Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition which awards up to $4500 for different musical categories, including voice and instrumentation.

Ideally, if you want music scholarships, you will have to prove your musical talent, and competing in as many competitions as possible will prove to be quite beneficial in the application processes for many different musical scholarships, and can result in nice prize money to help you pay for your education as well.

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John Lennon Scholarship

If you are a songwriter or composer between the ages of 15 and 24, you may be eligible for the John Lennon Scholarship Program. The Lennon scholarship program was established by John Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono, in 1997. The program was established to recognize and reward young songwriters, working in any genre and support them with a songwriting scholarship.

Applicants are only accepted from a select list of schools each year. You can get this list through the BMI Foundation. Note that applicants may also be selected from the National Association for Music Education as well, but the competition is only open to students who are currently enrolled at an institution that has a MENC Collegiate Chapter, and that chapter must be active. The John Lennon scholarships can also be awarded to the alumnus of such institutions as well, as long as they meet all other requirements. If your school is not on the list provided by BMI, you should contact the MENC Chapter Advisor at the music department of your school.

There are usually three Lennon scholarship awards given each year. There is one $10,000 scholarship, and two $5000 scholarships. In order to apply, you must submit an application and an original song that includes lyrics. The song must be accompanied by whatever instrumentation that you choose, and the song cannot be based on any other work or song.

In order to be eligible for these songwriting scholarships, you cannot have had any work commercially recorded or distributed, and you cannot have already won the John Lennon Scholarship in the past. If there is more than one song writer for the song, all of the writers must be eligible for the Lennon scholarship and each must submit his or her own application, and if those writers win this songwriting scholarship, the John Lennon scholarship amount will be divided equally between all writers of the winning song. The rights to the song that you submit for the competition cannot be assigned to anyone else either.

You must submit your song, with your completed application and any other requested materials. The song must be submitted on CD or audio cassette. The CD or Cassette tape must be labeled with the title of the song, and you must include three copies of the lyrics with the song. Your name cannot appear on the CD, Cassette, or the lyrics of the song. You also may not include the name of your school. This is why the application and all other requested materials must be submitted at the same time, and the MENC Chapter Advisor must confirm the application as well. It is also vital that you keep copies of your song and lyrics, as they will not be returned to you.

As you can see, this is a very lucrative composer and songwriting scholarship that is awarded based on talent more than anything else. It is important to understand, however, how BMI will use your song should you win the competition, and one of the Lennon Scholarships. For more information about the rights of BMI should you be selected as a winner go to John Lennon Scholarship 2010 program.

The Fort Collins Symphony Annual Young Artist Competition is divided up into two divisions. One is for the ‘juniors’ and one is for the ‘seniors’. When they say juniors they don’t mean just those who carry their fathers name and they don’t suggest that it be only High School and College Juniors either. By ‘juniors’ they are referring to those young artists between the age of twelve and eighteen. They must be eighteen or younger prior to the date of the youth music competition. When they say ‘seniors’ they are not suggesting that you must be over the age of sixty-five (although there are many great musicians in this age bracket). They are referring to those young artists from the age of nineteen to twenty-five. Once again, you must be in this age bracket on the day of the musical youth competitions.

The junior musical competitions are based on piano and instrumental performance. The winners will normally receive between 300USD and 500USD. There are no major requirements other than the age to enter this competition in music at the junior level. You must show proof of age and you do have to be a United States Citizen. Other than that, if you have the heart and soul of a symphony instrumentalist than you are entitled to compete. The Fort Collins Symphony Association is well aware of the need to support young artists as they pursue their calling in music. They know that the young artists of today will perform in the great symphony orchestras of tomorrow.

The senior competition in music has a few more requirements to consider. Not only do you have to be in the senior age bracket on the day of the musical competitions as well as a United States Citizen but also there is more. Along with your proof of age and citizenship you must also have a recommendation from your music teacher. You must also audition by performing a concerto. The senior division alternates the discipline that will be in musical competition from year to year. The competition for music will involve pianos on even numbered years and instruments of odd numbered years. First prize in the competition is normally 6000USD.

Note:
It is with deep regret that the Fort Collins Symphony Association has announced that due to the economic times at hand, there will be no Annual Young Artists Competition this year. The event was originally scheduled for September 2009. It is the hope of all involved that this most cherished event will return next season.

The National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Awards is broken down into 4 categories. They are Piano, Strings, Man’s Voice and Women’s voice. For the Instrumentalist music competition you must have turned the age of 18 prior to June 1st of the applicable year. In addition, you must not have reached the age of 30 by the same date of the applicable year. The $10,000 first prize makes this musical competition a favorite to apply for. The NFMC and the Agnes Fowler Endowment fund this award. This competition is held every two years. Application must be received by February 1st of applicable year.

The NFMC Ellis Competition for Duo-Pianists consists of only one category that is Duo-Piano. This musical competition is held every two years. It is available for musicians between the ages of 18 and 39. You have to be in this age bracket prior to March 29th of the applicable year. The first place Duo-Team will receive a $10,000 first prize. Ellis Legacy and a gift from Floride Dean fund it. The second place Duo-Team will receive a $5,000 award funded by Ellis Legacy and Gretchen E. Van Roy. Application must be received by October 1st for the next applicable year.

The NFMC Lynn Freeman Olson Award in Piano Pedagogy is an award issued for outstanding Piano Pedagogy. You can be any age to participate in this music competition as long as you have an undergraduate degree in piano. The winner of this competition in music will receive $5,000. The Lynn Freeman Olsen Endowment and given by friends & James Schnars. The application deadline is January 31st of the applicable year. This musical scholarship award is offered every two years on odd numbered years.

The NFMC Virginia Allison Collaborative Award is given in honor of Past National Presidents of the NFMC. This musical scholarship is given for two categories every other year on an odd numbered year. The award is issued for Vocal Accompanying and Instrumental Accompanying. Must be between the age of 18 and 26 prior to March 1st of the applicable year. The winner for each category will receive $2,500.

The NFMC Emil and Ruth Beyer Composition Awards are given for Piano Solo, Piano-Voice or Chamber Music Composition. Must be between the ages of 20 and 31 by March 1st of the applicable year. This music scholarship is given annually and the deadline for applications is April 1st of the applicable year. The Piano Solo winner will receive $2,000 for first place. The second place winner will receive $500. The Piano-Voice winner will receive $2,000 and the second place winner $500. The Chamber Music Instrumental Composition first place winner will receive $4,000 and the second place winner $1,000. The Emil and Ruth Beyer Endowment fund these scholarships for music.

For more information go to the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Musical Competitions and Scholarships.

The deadline to apply for the Omaha Symphony Guild International New Music Award is April 15th of the applicable year. The deadline has already expired for this year but all applicants are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2010 season.

The Omaha Symphony Guild International New Music Competition is only open to students that are twenty- five years old and older. Not only does the winner of this musical competition take home the $3000 scholarship for music, but also in addition there is an excellent chance that the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra will perform the winning scholarship composition for all to enjoy. That opportunity alone is enough to motivate any composition writer. These graduate students strive to prepare the best composition imaginable to compete in the competition and the icing on the cake is having a world-class orchestra like the Omaha Symphony to perform it. A selection panel established by the Omaha Symphony Guild board of Directors selects the winner. This music scholarship is issued annually at a special ceremony to be announced.

The ultimate goal and mission of the Omaha Symphony Guild is to promote the growth and development of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra for the pleasure and education of residents of Greater Omaha and the States of Nebraska and Iowa. The Omaha Symphony Guild has made it a dedicated priority to establish funds and educational opportunities for children of all ages. The Omaha Symphony Guild was founded in 1957. Although over a half a century has come and gone the inspiration and passion that has always driven the OSG is still as prudent as when it first began those 52 years ago. The OSG New Music Competition was established for composers of chamber music in 1976 over three decades ago.

Although three decades have passed since the New Music Competition was born the annual anticipation for the event is still monumental and inspiring. The Omaha Symphony Guild has been a dedicated sponsor of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for it over the years. The $3,000 prize in association with the possible winning composition being performed by the Omaha Symphony Orchestra continues to draw eager applicants from all over the Nebraska and Iowa region.

Applications for the 2010 season must be submitted prior to April 15, 2010. For more information on the Omaha Symphony Guild International New Music Competition please visit: The Omaha Symphony Guild New Music Competition for Music Scholarships. The next award is waiting for you.

As with any musical Christian scholarships there are certain criteria that have to be met. Applicants must have the intention of pursuing a music degree in sacred music. He or she must be starting as a freshman or already attending an accredited college, university, school of theology or desiring academic education in worship or the arts related to worship. In addition, the applicant must meet the following conditions as well. They must have been a member of the United Methodist Church for more than one year. If you are of a different denomination than you must have worked for the United Methodist Church for more than a year prior to the application date. Applicants must also demonstrate excellent Christian character and be a supporter of Christian activities of the church.

It is also required that the applicant display evidence of outstanding musical or other artistic talent. The applicant must also display effective leadership experience. The prospective applicant must also be able to demonstrate how they will be useful to the Christian activities of the church and/or campus in the future. The goal is to support those members of the church that are devoted not only to music or arts but to the church as well. The church wants to reward members that will work diligently towards making the church stronger and more effective.

The Fellowship of Methodists have made it clear that in order to receive the United Methodist Scholarship for music, you must be planning a career in music worship or arts. The Christian scholarship for music is meant to build a strong foundation in the church. The applicant will need 6 very important things upon submitting the application. First they must fill out the application. Then they will need a transcript of their most recent educational facility. They will also need to write a personal statement presenting their interests and goals in the future. From this point they will need 3 references. The first must be from their teacher or professor. The second must be from their Methodist Church pastor. The third must be from a party that can verify their musical or artistic ability.

This unique United Methodist Scholarship in music awards the average amount of 1,000USD every year to the applicant that best meets the criteria in question. For more information in applying, visit the Christian United Methodist Scholarship in Music.

United Methodist Scholarships for Christian Students

The Miriam Hoffman Christian Scholarships were first issued in 2001. That year twelve needy students received the award. The total paid out that year was twelve thousand dollars. There is not set amounts written in stone. The amount of the award will be based on the prospective students financial situation. In addition, there is no set number of awards that will be given out. Therefore, many students may have a chance of getting some financial aid through these little known musical scholarships for Christians. Although typically the amount of the award has been around one thousand dollars, once again this may vary. As with any financial aid the prospective student must present financial need to qualify. Obviously the Christian scholarship in music program cannot assist each and every student that applies but they take pride in trying to choose the students that will best benefit from the award.

These college music scholarships are geared at Under Graduates and Graduate Students. It is preferred that the students are pursuing Degrees in Musical Education or Ministry. These students will take priority. One of the key requirements for consideration is that the prospective student must be an active member in the United Methodist Church for at least one year prior to filling out the application for the music education scholarship. Furthermore, the student must be enrolled in an accredited educational facility. The student must also be attending that school full time. The prospective Miriam Hoffman Scholarship winner must be either a United States Citizen or at least a permanent resident. Finally, the student must be carrying at least a C+ grade point average, which is low to most other scholarships in music.

The United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is given responsibility for choosing and distributing the Miriam Hoffman Christian Scholarships. Although they would love to assist every student in dire straits they are confined to helping the students that prove worthy above all. If you feel that you meet the qualifications mentioned above, apply for these unknown christian scholarships for Music. Keep in mind that you must apply prior to May 15th to be considered. For the qualified individuals out there who are dedicated to a dream of Music or Ministry one of the Miriam Hoffman Scholarships could have your name on it. If you are in need of some financial aid in your pursuit of your degree, these Methodist scholarships in music for Christians may offer some relief.

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