As a music student, finding ways to fund your education can be a major concern. Luckily, there are numerous scholarships available specifically for students pursuing a degree in music. These scholarships not only provide financial assistance, but also recognition and support for your dedication to the arts. In this article, we will explore 9 scholarships that are perfect for music students looking to further their education without breaking the bank.
BMI Composer Awards – $20,000
The BMI Composer Awards is a competition open to student composers who study music under a recognized and established teacher. In order to enter the competition, students must anonymously submit an unpublished original composition. A total of $20,000 is awarded, and individual awards range from $500 to $5,000. Compositions are judged according to the formal content of the composition, the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic idioms, the instrumentation, orchestration, and vocal writing, and the age of the composer at the time of the completion of the manuscript.
John Lennon Scholarship – $20,000
Established by Yoko Ono and the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship is an annual songwriting contest for emerging songwriters. Applicants must be current undergraduate students attending a U.S. college or university and be between the ages of 17 and 24. The rights to the submitted work must not be assigned to any major music label or publisher.
Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program – $1,000-$2,500
The Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program includes 12 categories of scholarships of each year, which are awarded to students of diverse academic backgrounds who are studying in California. Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship. Several scholarships are available for students studying agriculture and agribusiness, but scholarships for other majors are also available, including business, hospitality, art, and education.
CINTAS Foundation Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition – $20,000
The CINTAS Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting and elevating Cuban artists. The CINTAS Foundation offers various fellowships to artistic students of Cuban citizenship and descent, including the Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition. This fellowship provides a grant of $20,000 to one non-performing music composer of Cuban citizenship or descent. Interested artists must submit 3-5 recordings of original compositions, accompanied by scores of the works. Applicants must also submit two statements: an artist’s statement detailing their personal history, development, ethos, and goals as an artist; and a project statement that details a project they would like to pursue if they were to win the fellowship grant. Applications must also include two letters of recommendation.
NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans – $5,000
The NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans is one of many awards available to Black students and students of color through NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives. Each year, $5,000 is awarded to four outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Applicants must be a member of the NAACP; be Black or a person of color; be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the United States; be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student; possess a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system; demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in the creative fields (e.g., art, music, journalism, marketing, design, communications, architecture, or film); and be a U.S. resident or citizen. This scholarship is renewable upon maintenance of 2.7 GPA.
CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship – $5,000
Administered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship offers a one-time award of $5,000 each to 10 winners. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be African American or Black; be preparing to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree full-time at an accredited college or university (includes current high school seniors); be pursuing a career in the performing arts with an eligible major; have a minimum 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale; and exhibit leadership and be active in community. Performing arts include theater, drama, comedy, music, dance, opera, and marching bands.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship – $50,000, $25,000, $10,000
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a nonprofit organization designed to nurture and support gifted young students, offers the Davidson Fellows Scholarship to high-achieving students ages 18 or under who have completed a significant piece of work in one of the following application categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside the Box. Scholarships of $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 are awarded.
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship – $10,000
Classical music media platform From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation jointly offer the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship for young classically-trained musicians (ages 8-18) who are interested in studying classical music in college. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional musical achievement, unmet financial need, academic achievement, and strong character. Winners are granted a $10,000 scholarship that may be used toward instrument purchases, summer music camp tuition, college audition travel expenses, private lessons, and other music-related needs. They are also given the opportunity to perform on NPR’s From the Top program. Each year, there are three deadlines: April, September and November.
Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship – Varies
The Oregon Music Hall of Fame offers annual OMHOF College Scholarships to local college-bound seniors pursuing undergraduate degrees in music. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating from an Oregon high school, have demonstrated pursuit and accomplishment in music, and plan to major in music.
In conclusion, the journey to finding the perfect scholarship doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re just beginning your search or looking to expand your options, our comprehensive scholarship directory offers a wide range of opportunities catering to diverse academic interests and backgrounds. For a more personalized approach, consider leveraging the power of TUN AI, our innovative tool designed to match you with scholarships uniquely suited to your profile. Start exploring today and take a step closer to securing the financial support you need for your educational journey.