I'm a high school junior and have been playing piano for years. I'm starting to look into scholarships to help pay for college. Does anyone know of scholarships available for pianists?
Absolutely. Many scholarships are available specifically for students with a musical talent like the piano. These scholarships may be offered by universities, professional organizations, community groups, and other entities, and they can seriously help reduce the cost of your college education.
Several colleges have music departments offering scholarships specifically to musicians who intend to major in music, so if you're considering a music degree, this is a fantastic route to explore. Many of these college-specific scholarships require an audition as part of the application process.
In addition to scholarships offered by colleges, various organizations offer scholarships for musically talented youth. For instance, the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) offers several scholarships, some of which are specific to piano. The NFMC runs annual piano competitions at different grade levels, with awards that can go up to several thousand dollars.
There's also the Chopin Foundation Scholarship Program for young pianists who show exceptional talent and dedication to the piano. This scholarship offers $1,000 a year, renewable for up to four years.
Keep in mind, most of these scholarships will require an application, a demonstration of financial need, and a demonstration of your ability on the piano. This could be in the form of a performance, a track you've recorded, or letters of recommendation from a music teacher.
Also, don't forget to use Appily to search for specific scholarships. You can filter by your musical ability, intended major, and other criteria, making it easier to find scholarships that fit your specific situation.
So definitely look into scholarships focused on your talent in playing the piano. Good luck!
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