Incoming musicians are invited to apply for a music scholarship.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University invite incoming musicians to apply for a music scholarship recognizing their musical abilities. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must submit our music scholarship application, a letter of recommendation from a music teacher, and an audition recording.

Scholarship amounts for the 2023-2024 academic year range from $1,000 to $6,000 and are renewable each year. Scholarships are awarded to those students with significant experience and success in music, but are not restricted only to students majoring or minoring in music.

Eligibility

• Music scholarship applicants must exhibit proficiency in vocal, instrumental or piano performance. The demonstration of proficiency will be based on the Music Scholarship application, one recommendation, and an audition recording. See guidelines below.
• Music Scholarships are for students who plan a continued involvement in music.
• Most recipients of this award also qualify for additional financial and academic scholarships and grants, in which case the Music Scholarship becomes part of a larger financial aid package. Learn how to apply for need-based aid.

Application Process

• Submit the online Music Scholarship Application.
• Have a music teacher or instructor complete the Art, Music and Theater Recommendation Form.
• Send a recording of your playing to Kelly Brueske. The entire recording should not exceed six minutes in length. Recording formats can be MP3, MP4, Youtube link, or .mov file. Please see below "Recording Guidelines" section to understand what your recording should include.

Recording Guidelines

• Guitarists will perform one solo classical guitar selection or excerpt of the selection and one selection of your choice in any style, ensemble or solo.
• Instrumentalists will perform two contrasting selections (similar to state contest repertoire). 
• Organists will perform a representative work from Bach or his contemporaries and a short Romantic or Modern organ work; in lieu of one piece of repertoire, organists may choose to play two hymns or a hymn and another representative piece of liturgical music. 
• Percussionists will perform one snare drum and one mallet piece. 
• Pianists will perform two contrasting selections from the classical piano repertoire from the intermediate to advanced levels.
• Vocalists will perform two contrasting selections from the classical solo vocal repertoire by composers including but not limited to: Michael Head, Roger Quilter, Aaron Copland, Schubert, Haydn, Handel or the traditional Italian literature. Live auditions will also include a brief 12-16 measure sight-singing segment.