For those who excel at music, you can pursue a college education in your instrument. Paying for college is always a challenge; however, there are a number of scholarships specifically designed for music. Scholarships are money for college that you don't have to pay back. Before you begin taking out potentially expensive college loans, look into your options for college music scholarships.
Religious Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarships specifically for those playing religious music. One scholarship, the Bach Organ and Keyboard Music Scholarship, exists for those who play church organ. Other scholarships exist for all musicians who bring music to their church, or religious musicians generally -- not just those who play in a church. There are also scholarships designed for members of different denominations, such as the Miriam Hoffman Scholarship, for members of The United Methodist Church.
Music Foundations
There are several secular music foundations that provide scholarships for musicians pursuing musical education at the post-secondary level. The Young Musicians Foundation offers scholarships for musicians in Southern California. The BMI Music Foundation boasts a number of scholarships including scholarships for Latin music and women composers. Rival royalty organization ASCAP has scholarships for jazz and classical musicians. The Liederkranz Foundation has scholarships for students who perform traditional German-style vocal music.
College Scholarships
You can get scholarships directly from the college you plan to attend. Berklee College of Music offers over $20 million in need-based scholarships. The University of South Carolina offers scholarships to students that may pay for their entire education. The University of Iowa similarly offers partial and full scholarships for students seeking a musical education. The Aspen Music Festival and School also offers partial and full scholarships for students studying opera, strings and composition, among other areas.
Off-Beat Scholarships
Just like any other subject, you can get college music scholarships from unusual groups for unusual reasons. Society of Performers, Artists, Athletes and Celebrities for Space Exploration provides a $1,000 scholarships for students interested in space music. Starfleet Acacemy, the official Star Trek fan organization, offers a $500 scholarship for members, including scholarships for music.
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