If you have a deep passion for music, the concern of covering your college expenses without resorting to loans may cross your mind. The encouraging aspect is that you have the opportunity to alleviate your educational costs by pursuing a scholarship.
Numerous music scholarships are accessible, some of which may cover the entirety of your college expenses.
Although these scholarships can be highly competitive, taking the initiative to apply for them could bring you closer to securing financial support for your passion.
What Do Music Scholarships Entail?
Scholarships in music are available for students aspiring to pursue a degree or career in the field, extending beyond performance-related pursuits. These scholarships encompass areas like music production, music education, and even music therapy.
Various organizations and foundations provide a diverse range of scholarship opportunities. It’s worth noting that many music scholarships tend to be of modest amounts, although exceptions exist, with some offering more than $10,000.
Several scholarship websites can assist you in identifying music scholarships and determining your eligibility. Additionally, it may be possible to combine your music scholarship with other financial support options, such as grants, additional scholarships, and even student loans, to address your overall educational expenses.
Music Performance Scholarships For Classical Musicians
The Berklee College of Music Presidential Scholarship:
This prestigious scholarship offered by Berklee College is among the limited number of comprehensive music scholarships available. Successful candidates must demonstrate financial need and exhibit musical talent. In addition to covering tuition expenses, recipients of this scholarship are entitled to complimentary on-campus housing and receive a laptop.
The John Lennon Scholarship:
Established in collaboration with the BMI Foundation by Yoko Ono, the John Lennon Scholarship is designed to support composers and songwriters. College students submit an original song for evaluation by music industry professionals. Three awardees are granted scholarships amounting to $20,000 collectively. Depending on the institution attended, this scholarship can potentially alleviate a substantial portion of college expenses.
The Peggy Gram Scholarship:
Top of the Rock Chorus presents the Peggy Gram Scholarship, a distinctive opportunity for women engaged in Music Education or Vocal Performance Education. This scholarship, awarded annually in spring, aims to support recipients with tuition for the upcoming academic year, and successful applicants are welcome to reapply for subsequent years.
The BIG ARTS Scholarship:
BIG ARTS, a prominent performance organization based in Florida, extends scholarships to students with a passion for classical music, including those dedicated to piano studies. Florida residents can be awarded amounts of $15,000, $10,000, or $5,000.
Furthermore, BIG ARTS offers an additional scholarship in the realm of creative arts, open to individuals pursuing music and other creative disciplines.
The House Pf Blues Music Scholarship:
The House of Blues Music Forward Foundation Scholarship not only provides workshops and promotes involvement in music within underserved communities but also awards four scholarships, each offering a maximum of $10,000. Eligible applicants are college students in their junior or senior year with a major related to the music business.
Scholarship By PeerMusic:
As for the Peermusic Latin Scholarship, it is designed for students involved in writing and composing Latin music, particularly those whose music hasn’t been commercially recorded or distributed. This scholarship has the potential to grant up to $5,000 and is open to students enrolled in a U.S. university, including Puerto Rico.
Scholarship By The Congressional Black Caucus:
Scholarship opportunities in the field of performing arts are available through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship, valued at $3,000, is not restricted to music alone; individuals engaged in any performing arts can apply. To be eligible, applicants must be full-time college students and submit a comprehensive application, including a resume, letters of recommendation, and a recording of their performance.
Scholarship By The Glen Miler Birthplace:
The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship Program honors the renowned big band leader Glenn Miller. Open to performers participating in the Glenn Miller Festival, this program awards three scholarships, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Recipients can use the funds to offset educational expenses.
The VSA International Young Scholarship:
VSA International Young Soloists Competition, organized by the Kennedy Center, emphasizes the talents of musicians with disabilities from around the globe. Participants can showcase their musical abilities either through instruments or vocals. Winners of this competition receive a $2,500 prize each and gain access to resources for professional development.
The National Federation of Music Clubs Scholarship:
Meanwhile, the National Federation of Music Clubs provides various focused scholarships catering to specific musical interests. Scholarships are available for playing specific instruments, such as the French horn, or for studying composition.
The prize amounts range from $600 to $3,000. However, qualifying for these scholarships may require payment of an entry fee and membership in the National Federation of Music Clubs, and applicants should be between the ages of 19 and 25.
Scholarships for Pro Musica at Augustana College:
Every year, the Music Department at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD grants renewable four-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to students who demonstrate significant musical potential through auditions.
Eligible applicants must:
- Receive admission to Augustana College by February 1
- Participate in an audition before the Music Department Faculty Selection Committee, either in person, via Skype, or by submitting a VHS or DVD recording
- Maintain enrollment as a music major at Augustana College throughout the entire four-year award period
- If awarded the Mozart and Bach Scholarship, recipients must undertake private lessons during the initial two years of enrollment at Augustana College.
The Bemidji State University Scholarship:
Music scholarships at Bemidji State University’s Department of Music in Bemidji, MN encompass a diverse range, with amounts varying from $500 to covering full tuition.
Eligibility criteria:
- Enrolled as new or returning students at Bemidji State University
- Conduct a musical audition, either in person on campus or through Skype
- Pursue either a music or non-music major throughout the academic year(s) for which the scholarship is granted.
The Catharine Gould Chism Scholarship:
The Catharine Gould Chism Scholarship at Puget Sound University offers incoming freshmen the opportunity to receive renewable annual scholarships of $5,000 for four years, provided they demonstrate excellence in any aspect of fine arts or the humanities, particularly in the fields of art, English, foreign language, history, music, philosophy, theatre arts, or religion.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Enroll in a minimum of 3 units per academic semester during the award period.
- Actively participate as a musician or accompanist in a university performing group throughout the academic year(s) of the award.
The CBC Spouses Heineken USA Scholarship:
The CBC Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship was founded in 2000 through a collaboration between Heineken USA and the Congressional Black Caucus, as a tribute to the late musical icon Curtis Mayfield. This scholarship is designed to provide annual awards of $3,000 to support the academic pursuits of emerging performing artists.
Eligibility criteria include:
- S. citizenship or permanent legal residency.
- Current enrollment or preparation to enroll full-time in an accredited undergraduate degree program.
- Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the performing arts.
- Display of leadership qualities and active involvement in community service.
- A commitment to pursuing a future career in the performing arts.
The Emil & Ruth Beyer Composition Scholarship:
The Emil & Ruth Beyer Composition Awards, sponsored by NMFC, offer cash prizes ranging from $700 to $4,000 for successful composers in the piano solo, vocal, and instrumental music categories.
Eligibility criteria:
- Hold an active membership in an NFMC senior music club, senior organization, or be an individual senior special member.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Fall within the age range of 20 to 31 by March 1 of the application year.
- Submit a single clear and bound manuscript for their composition, along with three CDs for each desired competition category.
The Fran Morgenstern Davis Scholarship:
The Fran Morgenstern Davis Scholarship, supported by the prominent American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), offers yearly grants of varying amounts to students at the Manhattan School of Music.
Eligible candidates should:
- Be enrolled as jazz composition students at the Manhattan School of Music
- Showcase a strong potential for producing original creative work
- Exhibit financial need
Ways To Cover College Expenses As A Musician
Due to the scarcity of full ride music scholarships, it may be necessary to employ various strategies to meet your college expenses. Besides pursuing music scholarships, remember to seek federal student aid, such as grants, work-study opportunities, and loans.
Exploring private student loans is another option to bridge the funding gap, and platforms like Juno can assist in negotiating favorable rates and terms.
Ultimately, it’s crucial to tailor a plan that suits your needs. Explore diverse scholarship opportunities, and assess how savings, employment, and loans can be integrated into your overall college funding strategy.
Conclusion:
Even if you don’t secure a complete music scholarship or aren’t pursuing a major in a music-related discipline, there’s still a possibility of receiving scholarship funds as a musician. Certain universities provide performance stipends for students involved in band or chorus performances. Even if a music career isn’t your primary goal, participating in on-campus music organizations could still offer financial assistance in covering some expenses.