Congratulations to the 2023 NSMTA Scholarship Winners!
The Merle Hanson College Scholarship has been awarded to Sarah Zhang, student of Vivian Zhao.
Sarah, a 2023 graduate of Glenbrook North High School, was accepted to the University of Iowa, where she will double major in Piano Performance and Music Education.
The Bruce Berr Scholarship for High School Music Camp has been awarded to Claire Rong, student of Sueanne Metz.
Claire, a ninth grader, was accepted to the Music Fest Perugia in Perugia, Italy for two weeks this summer.
Apply for NSMTA Scholarships
MERLE HANSON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Merle Hanson College Scholarship Award - Performance (or)
Merle Hanson College Scholarship Award - Music Related Field
Eligibility:
Students who have studied with a member of NSMTA for the past three years and have paid dues by October 31st of the current year are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The $1,000 scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who are enrolling in a university, college or conservatory in a program that will prepare them for careers in music or a music-related field (performance, music education, theory-composition, musicology, music-business, music therapy, etc.)
Each candidate must submit to the scholarship chair:
Verification of acceptance by the chosen school
A record of musical activities
A statement of personal goals or longer essay (see below)
Supporting portfolio file(s) that could consist of:
A performance video on YouTube of two memorized works of contrasting periods and no longer than 20 minutes
A longer essay of no more than 500 words instead of a statement of goals
Score copies of two original compositions, preferably with a YouTube video of a performance of the compositions, no longer than 20 minutes
A YouTube video of student teaching
Applications may be downloaded from the NSMTA website, scanned, and sent with attached portfolio files by midnight May 1st of the current year to Mary Beth Molenaar, Scholarship Chair at: m-molenaar@northwestern.edu.
The scholarship of $1,000 will be payable in two checks of $500 each. The first check will be presented at the NSMTA Winners Recital in May where the winner is invited to perform. The second check will be sent to the student at the end of the first semester after the Scholarship Chair has received a record of acceptable grades.
SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS
NSMTA offers two scholarships, the Betty Benton Scholarship and the Bruce Berr Scholarship of $500 each per year.
Eligibility:
Students who have studied with a member of NSMTA for the past three years and have paid dues by October 31st of the current year are eligible to apply for a summer music program scholarship.
The Betty Benton Scholarship is for students who are currently in grades 5, 6, and 7
The Bruce Berr Scholarship is for students who are currently in grades 8-12
Each candidate will submit to the scholarship chair a record of musical activities and a statement of personal goals. Candidates must also submit a link to a YouTube video (no longer than 15-20 minutes) of two works from contrasting periods for a panel of judges who will select the winner. Send the link online to Mary Beth Molenaar, Scholarship Chair, at m-molenaar@northwestern.edu. These pieces must be listed on the application and must be memorized. A letter of validation from the program must be sent to the Scholarship chair at the time of application in order for the applicant to receive a check. The winner will be presented with the $500 check at the NSMTA Winner’s Recital in the spring. The winners are encouraged to perform.
Applications are available on the NSMTA website and must be postmarked by May 1st of the current year to be eligible for consideration. No ties are allowed. The same person may not win more than once.
Questions about Scholarships?
For more information, fill out the form to contact the NSMTA Scholarship Chair, Mary Beth Molenaar.