College Music Scholarships

For high school seniors and college freshmen looking for means of financial aid to help pursue a career in music, then it’s never too early to begin searching for college music scholarships. In fact, some scholarships are available to musicians starting at the age of 10. Performing arts scholarships are extremely competitive; therefore, time is of the essence for those in financial need to apply for applicable scholarships.

When beginning the search for financial aid, it’s important to understand the application, audition and interview processes to be considered a viable candidate. Many high school seniors discover substantial scholarships offered by the biggest music foundations in the industry. Such

foundations include the Young Musicians Foundation, ASCAP Music Foundation, BMI Music Foundation and Glenn Miller Birthplace Society, and the Bel Canto Opera.

The Young Musicians Foundation

The Young Musicians Foundation an established performing arts foundation helps in providing financial assistance to 40 recipients each year. The scholarships are awarded to recipients between the ages of 9-25 displaying a talent and interest in various musical genres. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $1,000 each year.

ASCAP Music Foundation

The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Music Foundation is another generous foundation known for handing out numerous performing arts scholarships. Perhaps the foundation is best known for its prestigious summer music camp for qualified disadvantage students whom would otherwise not have such an opportunity. The foundation also hands out scholarships to students majoring in classical music as well as jazz.

BMI Music Foundation

The BMI Music Foundation offers a diverse range of 20 scholarships for future performing art majors. While the foundation grants scholarships to students concentrating on instruments and vocals, it also offers financial aid for various disciplines of music including research and academia. BMI also offers a Women’s Music Commission scholarship of $5,000 to female composers.

Additionally, the foundation provides financial assistance to students studying in either the U.S. or Puerto Rico securing the peer-music Latin scholarship for original composed Latin music. Students wishing to pursue a musical career in jazz appreciate the Charlie Parker Jazz Scholarship awarding up to $3, 5000 and exclusive performance opportunity.

John Lennon Scholarship Program

Appropriately titled after the renowned musician, the scholarship awarded by the BMI Music Foundation is awarded to three undergraduate or graduate students majoring in a music vein. The amount of the scholarship is between $5,000 and $10,000 to the recipient.

The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Music Scholarship

Another music scholarship appropriately named grants three scholarships each year to deserving students pursuing a major in both instrumentalists and vocals. The scholarship amounts include $4,000, $2,000 and $1,000 for the respective categories. Applicants must be a high school senior or college freshman to be considered.

The Bel Canto Opera Scholarship Program

For students seeking a performing arts career in the opera, Bel Canto Opera offers scholarship exciting opportunities for vocalists. Scholarship amounts vary and awarded based on talent and personal interest of the musical genre
College and University Music Scholarships
In addition to available scholarship opportunities being awarded from the leading music foundations, colleges and universities also offer music scholarships. Although accredited colleges and universities offering specific programs for performing art students, several are well-known for offering financial aid to qualified applicants including the University of South Carolina, University of Iowa and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina offers a full tuition to undergraduate students majoring in music. Recipients are required to maintain an average G.P.A. and are selected based on talent and recommendations. Financial status is not a part of the determining factor.

University of Iowa

University of Iowa’s Department of Music and Theater actively seeks musical instrumentalists and vocalists students to bestow scholarships. Students compete for both a prestigious place in the university’s program and scholarships. Each February students are selected for the interview and audition process based on talent. The university’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also awards scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.

Aspen Music Festival and School

The Aspen Music Festival and School is among one of the most popular educational institutes offering performing arts scholarships. Financial aid is available for students pursuing a major in composition, opera and ensemble, or percussion, wind and string instrumentals. In addition to three quarters of students eligible for financial assistance, qualified students are awarded fellowships.

Conclusion

While there are numerous college music scholarships available for qualified students, it’s an extremely competitive field. Students are encouraged to apply early to be considered a viable candidate for the interview and audition process.   Although there’s a limited amount of scholarship aid accessible to performing art students, financial assistance is available to the best and brightest talented musicians of the future.

You can also read about Academic College Scholarships here.

The information displayed on this website is our own opinion only. For more information on Scholarships we absolutely recommend looking at the official US Government website http://state.gov