Music & Dance Scholarships & Financial Aid
You could be a recipient of one of our endowed scholarships and awards available to Music & Dance students. Please check the scholarship and award sections for Music or Dance to see if you meet their respective criteria. Many of these awards are merit-based. Some (e.g., Dillman, Olmstead, Manilow) are open to all majors. Determination of the recipient is made by recommendation of the Department Honors Committee. The application or audition process, where needed, will be posted. Other scholarships are specific to certain subject areas, so please consult with faculty on them. Please note that some of our scholarships and awards are also available to non-majors.
We recommend that you apply to the Office of Financial Aid, and complete an entrance audition by March 1 to receive priority consideration.
College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship/Financial Awards
University-wide Scholarship/Financial Awards
- Presidential Scholarship Competition
- Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program
- Graduate Student Travel Assistance Awards
- Graduate Student Research Support Fund
- Individual Professional Development Funding
- Women in Philanthropy at EMU Grants
Music Scholarships/Financial Awards
Any Year/Degree
Elisabeth J. Morgan & David O. Woike Endowed Scholarship
- Awarded in alternate years with the World Languages Department
- Open to all music and dance majors, music and dance minors, and graduate music students in the School of Music & Dance. International students are encouraged to apply
- Awarded to a student in good standing and who has demonstrated experience or knowledge of international history and culture
- 2024-2025 Application [PDF]
First Year Students
Alexander Performance Awards
- Music majors
- Qualified freshmen students
- Talent-based
- Recommended at the time of entrance audition
Olmstead, Marian and Fred Scholarship
- First-time freshmen
- Minimum 3.0 high-school GPA
- Enrolled in music
Mary Esther Taylor Scholarship
The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman in the vocal music education program. The chosen student must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.2 and demonstrate financial need, which is to be determined by the financial aid office. Essay required. Essay question is "How do you plan to change the world?" Essay must be submitted via e-mail to Dr. Brandon Johnson at [email protected] by March 20, 2024. If no applicants meet the criteria, the award can be awarded to the previous recipient provided they have maintained a 3.2 GPA. If there is not a freshman and the previous award winner doesn't qualify, the scholarship will not be awarded that year.
Zhiwen Situ Cello Scholarship
- Music majors
- Qualified first-year undergraduate cellist of exceptional abilities
- Recommended at the time of entrance audition
- Recipient must be enrolled full-time during the year of award
- Recipient must perform in a public School of Music & Dance event. The repertoire chosen must include a work by a composer of Chinese heritage
Sophomores through Seniors
Brundage, Barbara Elizabeth Scott Scholarship
- Music majors
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum first semester sophomore status
- Show outstanding achievement and ability in the field of music
Dillman, Jessie Scholarship
- Must apply no later than March 8
- Upperclassmen
- Completed one semester as music major
- Enrolled full-time
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Show high level of ability in performance or creativity (i.e., composition, research, teaching potential, etc.)
- 2024-2025 Application
Drummond Scholarship
- Student studying theatre, music or fine arts
- Minimum junior class standing
James, Dorothy Scholarships
- Music majors
- Minimum sophomore status enrolled for at least 2 semesters at EMU
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in music theory-literature
- Active in Mu Phi Epsilon
Weddige, Juanita Scholarship
- Awarded once a year
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (one subject may be excluded)
- Minimum junior class level
- Demonstrate excellence in major interest of music
- Selected by the Weddige Scholarship Committee
- May receive award more than once if eligible
- All undergraduates
Laing, Dr. Harlow E. and Leela Linder Scholarship
- Studying music
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Graduate of Ypsilanti Lincoln High School
- If no music student qualifies, award goes to a major in Earth Science or Biology
Lindegren, Carl Scholarship
- Completed one semester in music
- Provides tuition for private music instruction in the major field (voice or instrument)
McGuire, Michael Music Therapy Scholarship
The scholarship is to be distributed to a music therapy student who has completed at least four music therapy classes, including one academic year of pre-internship clinical training; has a grade point average of at least 3.00; and who can demonstrate musical skills sufficient to lead a music therapy group on at least two of these three: guitar, piano and voice.
Music and Dance Service Awards
- Service in band, orchestra, vocal, keyboard, or dance
- Recommended solely at the discretion of program faculty
- Primarily upper-class students
Newell, Lisa and Mary Scholarship
- College of Arts and Sciences majors
- Demonstrate financial need
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Preference given to students majoring in this priority order: vocal music, drama, instrumental music
Phipps, Mary F. Scholarship
- Undergraduate or second bachelors student
- Enrolled full-time (student teaching or in music therapy internship shall constitute full-time)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Music majors in one of the following curricula: music education (vocal), music education (instrumental or music therapy); completed Music 330, 332 or 303
- Recommended by members of Music Education and Music Therapy faculty
Rasmussen, Janice Endowed Scholarship
- Undergrads including freshmen
- Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA
- Preference given to students studying instruments in this priority order: bassoon, woodwind, piano
- Demonstrate dedication to the field of music education; may receive scholarship for a maximum of four years
Remington, Joseph Scholarship
- Award based on scholarship, character, musicianship of student
- Music majors in the general area of music rather than performance
- Demonstrate financial need
Riccinto, Leonard Memorial Scholarship
- At least junior status majoring in music education with choral emphasis
- GPA 3.0 and above
- Must participate in University Choir during period of award
- Must provide letter of interest (500 words or less) to express applicant philosophy of music education
- Demonstrates scholarship and character
- Delineates financial need
- Reward may be renewed by application
Townsend, Al Scholarship
- Jazz musician
- Student enrolled in Department of Music and Dance
Janet L. Pounds Music Education Scholarship
- Student must be a Music Education Major
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Recipient should demonstrate financial need.
Graduate Students
Morgan, Haydn Scholarship
- Graduate student in music
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Demonstrate outstanding composition ability
Zhiwen Situ Cello Scholarship
- Music major
- Qualified first-year graduate cellist of exceptional abilities
- Recommended at the time of entrance audition
- Recipient must be enrolled full-time during the year of award
- Recipient must perform in a public School of Music & Dance event. The repertoire chosen must include a work by a composer of Chinese heritage
Graduate Assistantships
- Information can be found on the Graduate Application Information
- For eligibility requirements, please visit Graduate assistantships
Keyboard
Goldschmidt, Erich Scholarship
- Music majors
- Demonstrate outstanding ability in organ
- Show outstanding scholastic ability
Gurt-Kaslow Memorial Scholarship
- Graduate students
- Available primarily to graduates of Tunghai University in Taiwan
- If a graduate student from Tunghai University applies for the scholarship, this student will have first preference. Otherwise the scholarship will be available to any graduate student who meets the following criteria: student must major in Piano Performance, Collaborative Piano, or Piano Pedagogy and take lessons at a major level from an EMU professor during the semesters that he/she holds the award.
Jacobson, Barbara E. and Elaine Memorial Scholarship
- Piano music majors
- Upperclassmen
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Enrolled full-time
- Demonstrate exceptional ability in accompanying and ensemble performances
- Determined by recommendation of keyboard area
Mason/Rigsby Organ Scholarship
- Music majors with organ as principal instrument
- Undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Selected by Department Elections and Awards Committee in consultation with keyboard faculty
- Minimum nine credit hours of enrollment for undergraduates, four for graduates
Sponberg, Grace M. Scholarship
- Enrolled full- or part-time
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Music majors
- Studying organ for major level credit during the term the award is received
- Preference given to students with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Selected upon recommendation of the organ faculty and ratified by the Department Elections and Awards Committee
Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra Endowed Scholarship in Organ and Related Studies
- Open to any EMU Student who wishes to take Organ or Harpsichord private lessons through the EMU Department of Music and Dance, or any other related EMU course such as (but not limited to) Early Keyboard Literature, Common Practice Improvisation, or Organ/Harpsichord Pedagogy.
Strings
Baker, Dr. Earl L. and Charlotte S. Scholarship
- Music majors
- Stringed instrument primary area of interest
- Demonstrate outstanding ability in string family of instruments
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
Pignotti, Alfio Scholarship
- Violin music majors
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Enrolled full-time
Riley, Daisy V., Clara Perry Lockie Scholarship
- Violin, viola, cello, or double bass major
- Deserving student
- Department shall determine selection criteria and administer funds
Shing Cheng Seetoo Endowed Scholarship for Orchestral Strings
- Violin, viola, cello, or double bass string major
- Enrolled full-time in during year of award (i.e. Fall and Winter semesters)
- Audition for award occurs during Winter Semester Juries
- Recipient must perform in a public School of Music & Dance event. The repertoire chosen must include a work by a composer of Taiwanese heritage.
Shure, Fred and Robert Farrell Collegium Musicum String Endowed Scholarship
- Full-time string major at EMU
- Performs in Collegium Musicum and the University Orchestra during semester(s) of award
- Can receive more than once
Weiss, Barbara Scholarship
- Music major
- Must play viola or violin with a preference for viola
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Full-time student (12 credit hours)
Zhiwen Situ Cello Scholarship
- Music majors
- Open to all cello majors (undergraduate and graduate)
- Qualified first-year undergraduate or graduate cellist of exceptional abilities will be considered
- Recommended at the time of entrance audition
- Recipient must be enrolled full-time during the year of award
- Recipient must perform in a public School of Music & Dance event. The repertoire chosen must include a work by a composer of Chinese heritage.
Voice
Ballard, Blaine O. (Memorial) Scholarship
- Vocal music majors
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Sing in University Choir at the time of award and while receiving award
Gilbert, Muriel L. Award
- Music major in voice
- Determined by initial audition and selected by the voice faculty
- Natural voice ability and good musicianship
- Continued activity in the department and vocal area specifically
- Continuous involvement in studio classes, area recitals, departmental recitals and vocal ensembles
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Full-time student (12 credit hours)
Mullen, Alberta Blanche (Thom) Scholarship
- Minimum sophomore status
- Elementary through high school vocal music education majors
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Participate in Choir
- Renewable in April
Newell, Lisa and Mary Scholarship
- College of Arts and Sciences majors
- Demonstrate financial need
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Preference given to students majoring in this priority order: vocal music, drama, instrumental music
Riccinto, Leonard Memorial Scholarship
- At least junior status majoring in music ed with choral emphasis
- GPA 3.0 and above; must participate in University Choir during period of award
- Must provide letter of interest (500 words or less) to express applicant philosophy of music education
- Demonstrates scholarship and character
- Delineates financial need
- Reward may be renewed by application
Taylor, Mary Esther Scholarship
- Incoming freshman in the vocal music education program
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.2
- Demonstrate financial need, which is to be determined by the financial aid office
- Essay required. Essay question is "How do you plan to change the world?" Essay must be submitted via e-mail to Dr. Brandon Johnson [email protected] by March 20
- If no applicants meet the criteria, the award can be awarded to the previous recipient provided they have maintained a 3.2 GPA.
- If there is not a freshman and the previous award winner doesn't qualify, the scholarship will not be awarded that year.
Taylor, Robert Edward Endowed Scholarship
- Undergraduate or graduate students
- Good academic standing
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid
- Studying musical theatre or vocal music
- Alternates between Departments of Communication and Theatre Arts and Music and Dance
Winds and Percussion
Adler Band Scholarship
- Open to any major
- Enrolled in Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band for the Fall and Winter semester of award.
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA with 4.0 GPA in band
- Demonstrate financial need
Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma Scholarship
Goal: to honor brothers and sisters who exemplify the values of the Fraternity and
Sorority.- Must be an active member of either Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma.
- Must have been a member for two entire semesters, and continue to be a member through the following two semesters (conditional membership is acceptable only if student-teaching)
- Open to any major
- Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 4.0 GPA in band
Fitch/Meretta Endowed Oboe Scholarship
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Oboist
- Music major
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Flute Studio Scholarship
- Undergraduate or graduate music major
- Member of flute studio
- Perform in Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and/or Orchestra
- 2.5 undergraduate/3.0 graduate cumulative GPA
Fossenkemper, Marius E. Memorial Scholarship
- Music major undergraduate
- Clarinet major
Pietrzak, James E. Scholarship
- Non-music major
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Band member
- Demonstrate financial need
Morris and Curtin Families Scholarship
- Recipient should be a member of the EMU Marching Band in good standing
Ride or Die Scholarship for Marching Band
- Recipient should be a member of the EMU Marching Band in good standing
Ted Smith Memorial Band Scholarship
- Music major
- Minimum 2.5 overall GPA with 4.0 band GPA
- Completed one semester in band and plans to continue in the band
Trumpet Studio Scholarship
- Freshman music major
- Talent-based scholarship
- Decision is at the sole discretion of the EMU trumpet professor
- Purpose is to recruit the most outstanding musician possible
- Any criteria beyond talent, such as attitude and academics, are to be considered to the extent that the trumpet professor judges them appropriate
Tyra, Thomas (Band Leadership) Scholarship
- Upperclassmen during the semester of the award
- Show extraordinary leadership in and/or contribute to EMU band program
- Enrolled full-time during semester of the award (includes student-teaching)
- Participate in EMU band program during semester of the award
- Minimum 2.8 GPA at time selected for the award
Walline Scholarship for Athletic Bands
- Recipient should be a member of the EMU Athletic Bands
All scholarships listed above are awarded through recommendation of a faculty member of the EMU School of Music and Dance. If you are interested and qualified for any of the scholarships listed, please speak to a faculty member who can submit a recommendation on your behalf.
View our 2023-2024 Music & Dance student scholarship recipients.