Music scholarships
Music scholarships are available to all Concordia students, whether or not music majors, and are based on merit. Scholarships are available in amounts ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, with the higher awards reserved for music majors. This is awarded in addition to other financial aid from Concordia. To be considered for a music scholarship, you must:
- apply and be accepted to Concordia University on or before your audition date;
- complete a music scholarship application (application must arrive prior to your audition date);
- have your music teacher (school or private) send a letter of recommendation to the Department of Music; and
- audition in person or submit a recorded audition. See the instructions for scholarship auditions, below.
If you receive a music scholarship, you will be required to take lessons on your scholarship instrument or voice each semester and participate in a vocal or instrumental ensemble of the department’s choice, or serve as a piano accompanist or chapel organist, for each year you receive a scholarship. You must also be a full-time student (at least 12 semester hours) and maintain satisfactory academic and musical progress.
Music scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. If the above conditions are met, they may be renewed for up to 8 semesters for students in a four-year program and for up to 10 semesters for students in a five-year program.
Scholarship auditions
New students applying for music scholarships must audition either in person or by submitting a video recording. Students should contact the music office to schedule an audition time. The 2010 comprehensive audition day at Concordia is Saturday, Feb. 20. Those auditioning on that date receive tours and a free lunch, which features a concert by current music students.
Students who cannot audition on the comprehesive audition day may submit a video. Awards for those who audition by Feb. 20 or whose video is received by that date will be announced on or before Mar. 20.
A second round of awards is available to students whose audition video is received by April 9. Award announcements will be made by April 30.
Audition requirements
General requirements for all students: Prepare two pieces or excerpts in contrasting style from the standard solo repertoire for your voice or instrument. They do not need to be memorized unless indicated below. The total length should not exceed 8 to 10 minutes. Note also the following requirements for specific instruments:
Organ: Prepare an introduction and two stanzas of a hymn in addition to the two solo pieces or excerpts.
Piano: Memorization is preferred.
Voice:
Memorization is preferred. Select music from the standard vocal literature: should not include popular music styles. If you submit a recorded audition, include a vocalize or scale that illustrates how high and low you can sing.
You may audition on more than one instrument.
Accompanists
If your music requires an accompanist, you may either provide your own or have us supply one. If we supply one, mail your music and a check for $10 to the music office so that we have it in hand two weeks before your audition. To comply with copyright law, photocopied music is acceptable only if the edition was published before 1923 or is otherwise in the public domain; otherwise you must submit an original, which will be returned immediately after the audition. The use of recorded accompaniments is strongly discouraged.
Instructions for audition videos
Videos may be submitted on VHS videotape, digital video disc (DVD), or electronically as a digital audio file. When preparing the recording, do the following:
- write your name on the tape or DVD;
- state your name clearly at the start of the recording;
- position the recorder so that the part of your body producing the sound (face, hands, or feet, as appropriate) is visible;
- the recording should include close-up views of the fingering for instrumentalists and of the face for singers;
- state the composer and title of each piece before you play or sing it; and
- record each piece in turn. If you are auditioning on two instruments, you may use the same tape or DVD for both.
Make certain that the sound quality is adequate and that the soloist can be heard over any accompaniment.
To submit the recording by mail, send it to the music office together with your audition application. Make sure you allow enough time for it to arrive by the deadline. If you have access to a web server and you wish to submit it electronically, send your audition application to the music office by mail, email or fax, providing a web address where we can access your video.
General scholarships
The scholarships below are based on academic ability and are available to all new students:
Freshman merit scholarships
Available exclusively to students who are first-time college attendees. Students will automatically be considered upon acceptance. Financial need is not required.
Use the calculator (right) to see what freshman merit scholarship
you may be eligible for. Please note that merit scholarships are only awarded
upon acceptance to Concordia which requires an official high school transcript
and test score.
President's scholarship
Awarded on a competitive basis to high academic students.
This scholarship is limited in availability. The admission office will determine the qualified applicants based on their GPA and ACT or SAT scores. Applications for the President’s Scholarship will be mailed out only to those selected. Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Please contact the admission office for application details.
Award amount = $15,000/yr.
Regent's scholarship
Based on academic performance using a combination of high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Award amount = $8,500-$11,000/yr.
Achievement award
Based on academic performance using a combination of high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Award amount = $3,500-$7,000/yr.
Transfer merit scholarships
Available exclusively to students who transfer from another college. Students will automatically be considered upon acceptance. Financial need is not required.
Regent's scholarship level I
Based on a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA from most recent college work.
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Award amount = $8,000/yr.
Regent's scholarship level II
Based on a 3.0 - 3.49 cumulative GPA from most recent college work.
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Award amount = $6,000/yr.
Achievement award
Based on a 2.5 - 2.99 cumulative GPA from most recent college work.
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Award amount = $4,000/yr.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Awarded to students that are a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at their most recent college. (PTK scholarship winners not eligible for Regent's scholarships.)
Renewed annually with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. The PTK application form is available online.
Award amount = $10,000/yr.
If you are a transfer and want to know what merit scholarship
you qualify for please send an email to
admiss@cune.edu or call us at 800-535-5494.
See also: Concordia's
scholarship page gives a full list of possible scholarships available.