Students who decide to attend a college or university often face the daunting challenge of making a decision about what to study. Whether or not someone decides to pursue music as a career, having a double major of music and another major can be an enriching experience during the college years.
Music Teaches Life-Long Lessons
Violin students who have dedicated themselves to their school music programs, youth orchestras, and private violin lessons in DC are no strangers to the lessons of studying music: discipline, commitment, organization, communication, and expression. These are skills that students carry with them throughout life, even as they go on to develop their careers and lives. For violin students who demonstrate outstanding musical abilities going into college application time, adding a Bachelor of the Arts, Bachelor of Music, or a Music Minor in Violin Performance can be a great way to provide scholarship assistance and create wonderful professional opportunities.
Music Scholarships Create Unique and Competitive Opportunities
If your child, or a violin student you know, is interested in pursuing a scholarship for playing their violin extremely well, make sure they are taking lessons with a private DC violin teacher to assist in their studies. The following schools offer excellent opportunities for young violinists hoping to have an enriching, funded college educational experience.
James Madison University
Located in Harrisonburg, VA, the James Madison University School of Music offers musicians the unique opportunity to pursue a performance degree in a small, conservatory-like environment in a beautiful location. As is the case with many state schools, it is possible for students majoring in music to also pursue a double major, a minor, or certificate in an area other than music.
The JMU School of Music offers many different scholarship opportunities for students auditioning for the undergraduate music program. These scholarships cover one full year of tuition, or two, three, to four years of half tuition, depending on the student’s audition. The “Excellence in the Arts” scholarships offered at JMU can cover 50% of a student’s total tuition at the in-state rate.
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington (IU) boasts one of the best music schools in the United States, the Jacobs School of Music. In addition to its title of a top-tier music school, IU is also an accredited research University that is part of the Big 10 Academic Alliance and Sports Conference, allowing for a well-rounded college experience.
For students entering their undergraduate studies, the Jacob School of Music offers merit-based awards including the Dean’s Scholarship, Premier Young Artist Award, Jacobs Scholar Award, Presidential Scholars Awards, and more. These awards are all given based on the level of a student’s audition, so a student must be well-prepared on their solo pieces, etudes, and scales for this highly sought-after music school.
The University of Maryland
Located in College Park, MD, the University of Maryland School of Music boasts beautiful performing arts facilities, world-class faculty, and an incredible opportunity to study at a highly sought-after music institution, all nestled within one of the country’s finest research universities.
School of Music merit scholarships are awarded to the students with the best auditions in their incoming class, as well as top music education review for Music Education students. The scholarships can be used for a student’s tuition, fees, and room and board. The “Creative & Performing Arts Scholarships” equal the value of Maryland in-state tuition and are renewable for up to four years. The “Director’s Scholarships” vary in amount based on the audition level, but are also renewable for up to four years.
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, otherwise known as PSU, is another major research institution, part of the Big 10, that boasts a wonderful Music Performance and Music Education program.
The PSU School of Music offers scholarships and awards for incoming students based on the level of the student’s audition. These scholarships range from $500 – $15,000 per year and are renewable for up to 4 years. There is no additional application needed to be considered for these scholarships, only an audition is needed.
This School of Music is unique in that another way to receive financial assistance and musical awards are through yearly talent-based competitions. There are Spring and Fall competitions that allow students the chance to have a scholarship for the following year.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill boasts an excellent College of Arts and Sciences. This liberal arts school houses an excellent music program, as well as a number of music scholarship opportunities. There are approximately 15 general Department of Music scholarships awarded to incoming music undergraduates every year, averaging out to about $1000 to $2000 a year for each scholarship.
The more exclusive scholarship that UNC has to offer is the Kenan Music Scholars Scholarship. 4 students are selected to receive this award every year, and this award is given on the basis of established excellent in the student’s audition, a student’s strong academic record, and commitment to being a part of the UNC music program. Students selected receive a full scholarship for 4 years, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board, as well as additional financial support for summer research to further a student’s education.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
These scholarships are competitive, so students must be at a very high level of playing to even be considered. If your child has ever expressed a desire to pursue music at a collegiate level, there are several things a parent can do to prepare your child for success with the violin. Make sure that your child is practicing regularly and seeking regular lessons from a qualified instructor.
At Lessons In Your Home, our instructors are thoroughly vetted, professional, and passionate about music. Our teachers will come right to your home for every lesson, plus we offer virtual music lessons, too. Our online music lessons are being taught by local music teachers with live lessons tailored to your child! Contact us today to learn more.
By Katie McCarthy
