Special Opportunities: Scholarships

The Sarofim School of Fine Arts grants a number of scholarships to majors in music. Performance awards are also available to select non-music majors who perform in one of the School’s musical ensembles.

These scholarships are awarded after an audition and interview by the prospective students with members of the Music Department faculty, which are scheduled through the Secretary of the School of Fine Arts. For students who are eligible for work-study as part of their financial aid package, there are numerous jobs in all areas of the arts, including faculty assistants, music librarians, and box office staff. Students interested in these positions should also inquire through the Secretary of the School of Fine Arts.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

(for students majoring in music)

Awards range from $3500-$12,000 per year

Private lesson fee waiver
 (for a two-credit, i.e. principal applied lesson each semester)
Renewable annually up to four years

Audition Requirements:

• Woodwinds, Brass and Strings - Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century). One selection only may be an étude; a program of two études is NOT acceptable. Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required. Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition--an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than a week before the scheduled audition date.
• Percussion - Three selections which highlight timpani, mallets, and snare drum, i.e., one solo or étude on each instrument (2 or 4 mallets for keyboard percussion).
 Students should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of tuning timpani. The Music Department can provide a snare drum, timpani and marimba for auditions; any special equipment needs must be communicated to the Fine Arts Secretary well in advance of the audition date. Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.
• Piano - two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century). Memorization is required.
• Voice - a program of art songs and/or operatic arias totaling three selections. At least one, and preferably two, of the works performed must be in one or more of the standard foreign languages: Italian, French, or German. Memorization is required.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

(for students not majoring in music, performing in ensembles)

Awards up to $2,500 per year

Private lesson fee waiver
 (for a one-credit applied lesson each semester)
Renewable annually up to four years

Audition requirements:

• Woodwinds, Brass & Strings - Two selections, each representing different stylistic periods
. One of these (only) may be a standard All-State or Region étude.
• Percussion - Ten minutes from repertoire that highlights two of the following: 
timpani, mallets, snare drum
• Voice - Two art songs by memory

Non-major performance awards will not be available in the following area for 2010-2011: Harp

Students wishing a non-major Performance Award for 2010-2011 in these areas will be evaluated by recording ONLY:

• Soprano voice
• Piano (only for students with exceptional ability and experience in jazz improvisation or accompanying) The recording should include one classical solo piece and one other selection that illustrates the area in which the student is applying: i.e. a jazz solo or a collaborative selection.
• Guitar (only for students with exceptional ability and experience in jazz improvisation) The recording should include at least two selections that highlight the student's ability in this area.

Students who send recordings should request an audition form beforehand from the Secretary of the School of Fine Arts, and enclose it with the recording, stating clearly for what type of award they are applying. Recordings sent without sufficient identifying information and the required audition form will not be evaluated.

Non-major students may audition for a Performance Award in only one performance area. Only one award will be made to any student, of an appropriate amount based on major/non-major status. Students cannot receive two music scholarships in different performing areas, or a music major scholarship and a non-major performance award.

Complete compositions, études, or movements of sonatas or concertos must be prepared--fragments of works are not acceptable.

Performance with piano accompaniment, if a composition calls for it, is required for prospective music majors desiring a music scholarship. For non-majors who are applying for a P.A., accompaniment is optional, though recommended. Any audition that does not meet all of the criteria for a music scholarship audition listed on the web site (i.e., number of pieces, performance with accompaniment, etc.) will be considered a non-major P.A. audition and awards will be made accordingly (i.e., the maximum possible award will be $2500 per year).

A live audition cannot be guaranteed if a student cannot appear on one of the scheduled audition days. Requests made after February 10, 2010 for live auditions on the final weekend in February 2010 will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Any student who cannot schedule a live audition is advised to send a CD recording or cassette tape of their audition program as soon as he or she is able. NO individual live auditions will be heard after the last scheduled official audition date. Recordings received after the last audition date will be listened to and evaluated and awards made based on available funds. Students are advised to audition, or send a recording, as early as possible in the spring semester for full consideration.

STUDENTS WHO SUBMIT REQUESTS FOR AUDITION TIMES IN FEBRUARY 2010 WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED WITHOUT HAVING SUBMITTED A FORMAL APPLICATION TO SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

Eligibility requirements:

Candidates must apply for general admission to Southwestern University separately, and must have an active application to Southwestern University in order to schedule an audition. However, they need not have been accepted yet in order to audition. Please note that, although recommendations will be made following a student's audition, admission to Southwestern must be granted in order to receive the award. An individual student's admission status may not be determined until several weeks after Music Department auditions are concluded.

Recipients of Music Department scholarships and Performance Awards may also be eligible for additional assistance such as academic scholarships. In addition, recipients may apply for University need-based aid. For more information, please click: FINANCIAL AID & MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS or call 1-800-252-3166.

Any financial aid offer from Southwestern University will be void as of May 1, 2010 if a student accepts financial aid from another college or university.