How can band students find college scholarships?

I'm a high school junior in the band and I've heard there are college scholarships for band students. Can anyone share how to find them and any advice on what makes a strong application?

Absolutely, there are indeed many scholarships specifically designed for band students. These scholarships can reside at various levels, from local to national, and can be offered through multiple organizations.

1. Music Department Scholarships: These are common at colleges and universities with substantial music programs. Schools may offer scholarships based on audition performance and sometimes, academic achievement too. It's a good idea to reach out to the music department at schools you're interested in and inquire about available opportunities.

2. Marching Band Scholarships: If you're part of your school's marching band, you may have specific scholarships to look into. Some colleges offer these to attract and retain talented individuals in their marching bands.

3. Community and Non-Profit Organization Scholarships: Local music clubs and societies often offer scholarships to young musicians. Keep an eye out for any band or music-related organizations in your area and look on their websites for offered scholarships.

4. National Competitions: National level music competitions often provide scholarship money to winners. Examples include the National YoungArts Foundation and the Music Teachers National Association competitions.

When applying, apart from showcasing your musical talent, you usually need to demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and sometimes a certain level of academic achievement. A strong application often includes a well-prepared audition piece that highlights your proficiency and a music-specific resume putting forward your band experience, any honors or awards you've received, leadership roles you've held, and compositions or arrangements you've created.

To find these scholarships, you can use resources like scholarship search platforms (such as Appily) which let you filter scholarships by interest. Additionally, your school counseling office will often have resources and recommendations for local scholarships. Lastly, reach out to the leaders of your band or music organizations you're a part of to see if they may have any leads.

Remember, applying for scholarships requires patience and diligence, but the payoff can be substantial. Good luck!