Music Scholarships

New/Incoming Music Scholarships

All students who complete a Music Admissions & Scholarship Audition and are accepted into the department as a major/minor or for lessons only are considered for Music scholarships. The auditions take place each winter quarter and awards are made by faculty in early spring of each year.

Returning Music Student Scholarships

Current students who are enrolled in WWU lessons, or ensembles, or are a declared major/minor and want to be considered for a Music scholarship for the following year must submit an application within the new WWU Scholarship Portal. Visit the Scholarship Center for more information.

Scholarship Recipients Must meet the following area requirements:

New and Returning Students

• Brass Area:  Brass scholarship recipients must enroll in a major/large ensemble such as Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, or Symphony Orchestra. An ensemble audition is required for all but Symphonic Band.
• Jazz Area:  Jazz scholarship recipients must audition for and enroll in a jazz ensemble.  If a student also receives an award from another instrument area, they must complete those area requirements as well.
• Percussion:   Percussion scholarship recipients must enroll in both private "applied" lessons and a major/large ensemble such as a Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, or Symphony Orchestra.  An ensemble audition is required for all but Symphonic Band.
• Strings:   Strings scholarship recipients must enroll in both private "applied" lessons and a major/large ensemble such as Symphony Orchestra or String Sinfonia.  An ensemble audition is required.
• Guitar:  Guitar scholarship recipients must enroll in both private "applied" lessons and Guitar Ensemble. 
• Woodwind Areas: All scholarship recipients must enroll in both private "applied" lessons and a major/large ensemble such as a Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, or Symphony Orchestra.  An ensemble audition is required for all but Symphonic Band.
• Piano Area:  Piano area scholarship recipients must enroll in private "applied" piano lessons. Recipients of piano scholarships are also encouraged to perform a short piece in a scholarship recital held each year in October.
• Voice Area: Voice area scholarship recipients must enroll in private "applied” voice lessons, a major choral ensemble, and participate in Vocal Masterclass. The recipient may also be required to perform in an “Evening of Song” concert and may be called upon to serve as a volunteer for voice events and auditions throughout the year.  A choir audition is required for all but University Choir.

• Composition:  Students who receive a scholarship from the composition area must continue to major in Composition and be enrolled in composition lessons during the time they receive that portion of the scholarship.

  Returning Students

• Musicology: Students who receive a scholarship from the musicology area must continue to major in Musicology during the time they receive that portion of the scholarship.
• Music Education: Students who receive a scholarship from the music education area must continue to major in Music Education during the time they receive that portion of the scholarship.

Music Department Emergency Scholarships

Students participating in a Music program who contribute multiple hours to the Department of Music through their leadership, musicianship, academic performance, and have a short-term financial need are eligible for consideration for an emergency scholarship. Support for Music Department Emergency Scholarships comes from the Murray Music Scholarship Fund.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with three quarterly review dates throughout the academic year:

• October 15
• January 15
• April 15

Apply Now

One week after each quarterly review date, members of the faculty Scholarship Committee will review applications and make awards based on needs and available funding. The average award amount is $500. Priority will go to Music majors/minors and students who have not been previously awarded funding.