Scholarships for Black Strings Players

Although many music schools, private donors, university music departments, and organizations offer financial assistance to strings players, very few are specifically aimed at African-American violinists, violists, bassists, and cellists. One notable exception is the Sphinx Organization, which offers scholarships and other resources to young African-American and Latino classical musicians. To take full advantage of scholarship opportunities, though, you'll need to apply for anything for which you qualify.
  1. Sphinx Organization Scholarships

    • The Sphinx Organization, based in Detroit, Michigan, aims to increase the participation of African-Americans and Latinos in music schools, professional music, and in classical music audiences. Sphinx offers four types of scholarships: General Music Assistance Fund Scholarships, for each semifinalist of the Sphinx Competition, ICSOM scholarships, for senior semifinalists, prep school scholarships, for junior semifinalists who want to study at Walnut Hill, a conservatory-style preparatory institution in Boston, and college/conservatory scholarships, awarded in partnership with several schools throughout the U.S., including Juilliard and Oberlin Conservatory.

      The Sphinx Organization

      400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2550

      Detroit, MI 48243

      313-877-9100

      sphinxmusic.org/index.html

    Strings Scholarships Awarded by Colleges

    • Many colleges' string scholarships are merit-based and aimed at residents of the university's state or county. To be eligible for the Bruce and Darla Murray String Music Scholarship Endowment, for example, you must be a string player and a member of the Northwest Civic Orchestra in Wyoming--and you must have graduated in the top 50 percent of your high school class. Truman State University (Kirksville, Missouri), University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida), Appalachian State (Boone, North Carolina), and Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) offer similar financial aid to strings players.

      Northwest College

      231 West Sixth St.

      Powell, WY 82435

      307-754-6110

      800-498-3914

      www.northwestcollege.edu/foundation/impact/detail.dot?inode=190600

      Truman State University

      Music Department

      Kirksville, MO 63501

      660-785-4417

      music.truman.edu/futurestudents/scholarships.asp

      University of Florida

      101 Fine Arts Building A

      PO Box 115800

      Gainesville FL 32611-5800

      www.arts.ufl.edu/music/resources/uscholarships.asp

      Appalachian State

      www.music.appstate.edu/academics/scholarships.html

      Ball State

      2000 W. University Ave.

      Muncie, Indiana 47306

      765-289-1241

      800-382-8540

      www.bsu.edu/music/article/0,,28956--,00.html

    The American Symphony Orchestra League

    • The American Symphony Orchestra League's Music Assistance Fund Scholarship is aimed at African-American U.S. citizens currently attending or planning to attend a U.S. conservatory or school of music. The scholarships provides tuition for a recognized summer program of music study and/or academic institution.

      American Symphony Orchestra League

      Professional Services Coordinator

      1156 15th St. NW, Suite 800

      Washington, D.C. 20005-1704

      202-776-0212

    State-Based Classical Music Scholarships

    • Some scholarships open to African-American strings players stipulate that applicants must be residents of a certain state. The $2,000 Colbern-Pledge Music Scholarship, for example, is for residents of Texas who are string players interested in studying classical music.

      Colburn-Pledge Music Scholarship Foundation

      6322 Cornplanter

      San Antonio, TX 78209

      www.everychanceeverytexan.org/funding/aid/scholarship/sccpms.php

    Music Teachers National Association Scholarships

    • The Music Teachers National Association offers scholarships for string players. Eligibility for the MTNA awards is based on their junior and senior competitions.

      MTNA Young Artist Performance Competitions

      National Coordinator: Jeanne Grealish, NCTM

      1226 Morningside N.E.

      Albuquerque, NM 87110

      505-265-9333

      www.mtna.org/Programs/Competitions/Guidelines/YoungArtist/tabid/307/Default.aspx

      MTNA Senior Performance Competitions

      National Coordinator: Sigrid Luther, NCTM

      Bryan College, Box 7816

      721 Bryan Dr.

      Dayton, TN 37321-7000

      419-372-8025

      www.mtna.org/Programs/Competitions/Guidelines/Senior/tabid/306/Default.aspx

    Strings Magazine Scholarships

    • "Strings Magazine" offers scholarships to currently enrolled high school seniors and college undergraduates studying music education and the performance of bowed stringed instruments. The scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit, and community service.

      Strings Magazine

      P.O. Box 767

      San Anselmo, CA 94979

      415-485-6946

      www.stringsmagazine.com/Media_Files/PDFs/STScholarshipApp10.pdf

    Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Artist Award

    • From the Top partners with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and New England Conservatory to offer scholarship opportunities to exceptional young musicians.

      From the Top

      295 Huntington Ave. Suite 201

      Boston, MA 02115

      617-437-0707

      www.fromthetop.org/content/scholarship

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