Music Scholarships

Application opens Nov. 8, 2023 and due Jan. 2, 2024

How to Apply For a Music Scholarship

 

Scholarship assistance is available for a select number of music majors who desire an opportunity for:

  • intensive individual study in performance, musicology/ethnomusicology, and composition/theory
  • a variety of performing opportunities
  • exposure to the rich cultural setting at the School of the Arts, as well as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo Spoleto, and many other music, theatre, and dance companies.

New in 2024: In-State students will be invited to campus for an in-person audition and interview on January 20 and 27, 2024.  Out-of-State students will be invited for a real-time Zoom interview on January 20 and 27, 2024.  Out-of-State students must submit two video recordings as part of their application packet.

 

Scholarship awards are based on ability and potential and are normally renewable provided satisfactory academic and musical progress is demonstrated. To arrange an audition for a scholarship in performance, submit the application form and also send two letters of recommendation to the Department of Music. You will be contacted to confirm a definite audition time on your designated audition date. For applicants in musicology/ethnomusicology and composition/theory, consult the requirements below. Applicants with a serious interest in multiple areas (e.g. performance, composition/theory, and/or musicology/ethnomusicology) are encouraged to consider submitting scholarship application materials for each area and pursuing a double concentration within the music major. Following auditions and review of application materials, selected students are recommended by the faculty for a scholarship.

 

 

Audition Dates

  • In-person auditions will take place on Jan. 20 and 27, 2024 (see link below to submit an audition application).

Audition Requirements: Performance

  • Piano: Two contrasting pieces (memorization is not required)
  • Voice: Two contrasting pieces, one in a foreign language
  • Strings:
    • All major and minor scales and arpeggios, 3 octaves
    • Two contrasting works from the standard solo repertoire that best represent the candidate's technique and musicianship: a movement of a solo work by Bach, a movement from a concerto, and/or a short virtuosic piece are recommended.
  • Classical Guitar: Two contrasting pieces from memory
  • Other instruments: Two contrasting pieces (memorization is not required)
  • Jazz: Play melody and improvise over chord changes on two contrasting jazz standards
  • Jazz Percussion:
    • 13 Essential PAS rudiments
    • Two prepared pieces on snare drum
    • Sight-reading on snare drum
    • Drumset applicant will prepare and provide songs for this section of the audition

*Please see complete list for Jazz Percussion

 

Application Requirements: Musicology/Ethnomusicology

  • Submit a 1 to 2 paragraph statement of interest in researching and writing about music.
  • Submit a 2 page response to the following prompt:

    Imagine that there is a global project underway to create a Museum of the World’s Music to preserve the most significant expressions of human musical culture for future generations. You have been invited to nominate two musical artifacts for inclusion in this project: one that was created during your lifetime, and another from before your lifetime. In an essay of no more than 3 double-spaced pages, explain your two nominations to the museum’s curatorial board: (1) What is the nature of the artifacts you have chosen: A recording? A score? An implement for making music? Something else? (2) Is there a relationship between the two artifacts you have chosen? (3) Most importantly, explain why (and perhaps to whom) these particular artifacts are (or have been) significant. What evidence do we have of their importance?
  • Applicants who are not also submitting audition materials for a performance-based scholarship should submit a recording of not more than five minutes of music demonstrating their capacity as a performer of any instrument (including voice and electronic instruments/digital media).
  • Submit your statement of interest and essay (in Word or PDF format) and performance recording (if applicable, as an mp3 or video file) to the Scholarship Application Link below.


Application Requirements: Composition/Music Theory

  • Submit a 1 to 2 paragraph statement of interest in composition and/or theory, including past experience and involvement.
  • Submit one or more (up to three) notated compositions for any combination of instruments/voices in PDF format.
  • Submit matching audio files in mp3 format, if available.
  • Applicants who are not also submitting audition materials for a performance-based scholarship should submit a recording of not more than five minutes of music demonstrating their capacity as a performer of any instrument (including voice and electronic instruments/digital media).
  • Submit your compositions (in PDF format), matching audio files (in mp3 format), and performance recording (if applicable, as an mp3 or video file), to the Scholarship Application Link below.

 

Application

How to Apply For a Music Scholarship