Advice on landing a music scholarship for college?

I'm passionate about studying music in college and I'm aiming for a scholarship. What are some essential steps or preparations I should take to make my application stand out to grab a music scholarship?

Step one is to ensure that your musical skills are at a high level. This may sound obvious, but it's worth stating that in order to be awarded a music scholarship, you have to demonstrate a high degree of competence and commitment to your chosen instrument or voice. Depending on where you are with your skills, this might mean taking private lessons, joining an ensemble, community orchestra, choir, or band at school, or it could mean practicing diligently on your own.

Next, research carefully the schools you're interested in - some schools offer general music scholarships, others will offer scholarships specifically to students studying a particular instrument, style of music, or voice. Make sure you qualify for these specific scholarships. Sometimes, schools will have auditions for scholarships, so be ready to prepare an audition piece or pieces that highlight your talents. If possible, find out what the school's music faculty looks for in auditions so you can tailor your preparation.

The third step is to develop a strong music resume that highlights your experiences and achievements. Include your private studies, ensemble participation, performances, competitions, repertoire, and any relevant workshops or masterclasses. It will be beneficial to have a compelling narrative that emphasizes you are not only a dedicated musician but also have a broader understanding of music and its cultural context.

Fourth, having high quality recordings of your performances ready is crucial. Many schools and scholarship programs will ask to hear or see you perform as part of their evaluation. So, invest in good recording equipment or services to ensure that your performance is shown in the best light possible. Again, you'll want to research the schools and scholarships to determine what kind of recordings they prefer. Some might want to see you perform in different settings (like a concert performance contrasted with a more intimate studio performance), performing different styles of music, or with a varied combination of compositions.

Lastly, it's worth remembering that music scholarships also often take into account academic performance. So, it's important to do well in high school, maintain a high GPA, and score well on standardized tests.

Best of luck in your music scholarship journey! As you continue to pursue these paths, always remember to enjoy the music and growing through your passion.