A story from Perry Newell, Funding College Project.
Music like other sciences is a process of training the mind and body to observe and learn from other things, situations or elements of life. Fundamentally, music is a combination of sounds, and sound is vibration. One of the most succinct definitions of music comes from the Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni, who said, “Music is sonorous air.”
The skills needed to be successful in this arena may depend upon someone or something else. As a foundational industry the talents of many individuals are required, those opportunities will be explored here.
Music is essential to many of our lives. We listen to it when waking up, while in transit, at work, and with our friends. For many, music is like a constant companion. It can bring us joy and motivate us, accompany us through difficult times, and alleviate our worries.
Music is much more than mere entertainment. It has been a feature of every known human society—anthropologists and sociologists have yet to find a single culture throughout the course of human history that has not had music. In fact, many evolutionary psychologists today make the argument that music predated language. Primitive tribes and religious practices have used music to reach enlightened states for thousands of years, and Pythagoras used music to heal different psychological and physical ailments. Currently, cutting-edge scientific research has shown the effect that music has on the brain, the individual, and society.
Not only does music reach us on intellectual, social, and emotional levels, but many describe it as spiritual or mystical. The use of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic devices in music can induce a psychological state in both the musicians and the listener that is beyond words to describe. Music can bring us back to ourselves, be our mirror, and show us a side of ourselves that we may have long forgotten or never knew existed.
Even though we are constantly exposed to music in our daily lives, we rarely stop to actually think about what it is. After all, what exactly is music?
The Funding College Project attempts to explore for Elementary, Middle and high school students the mystery of jobs and occupational attainment, driven by our participants we explore many aspects of success.
To go direct to the source: www.educatingouryouth.org
The Funding College Project is about finding and using techniques and strategies to support school aged and post high school activities. We work with students and families internationally. We identify, alerting interested parties to existing options, building contacts, answering questions, complete forms and make nominations for prizes and awards.
The Funding College Project, and Cash for Kids are non-commercial activities and have been asked to supply to individuals, organizations, newspapers, and community bulletin boards serving the area with information about active honors, awards, scholarships and insightful advice.
An illustration of our success may be helpful!
We encountered 3rd grader Kaijona at the direction of her grandmother. Finding her to be a talented student athlete and intelligently curious, music was her thing! A member of the Tacoma Youth Symphony, school choir, Basketball Team and active in her neighborhood association. Her journey to success took her to a college preparatory high school, earned her the City of Destiny “Youth Leadership Award”, she reviewed a play for a local newspaper, was an active member of her high school Diversity Club and wrote an article about the National Jesuit High School Diversity Conference. Graduating with a 3.81 GPA. College admissions came from a number of places after winning scholarships to any school she wished. She selected USC (The University of Southern California), while there interning with Disney Records, Capital Records and Columbia Records. Before college a trip to South Korea to explore K-Pop Culture was taken. Today you may find her in New York, New York. As a Digital Marketing & Influencer Creationist.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is the government’s premier source of career guidance featuring hundreds of occupations—such as carpenters, teachers, and veterinarians. Revised annually, the latest version contains employment projections for the 2019-29 decade. Link: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
The complete Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) revised fourth edition, as supplied electronically by the US Dept. of Labor, provided, as a public service, by ITA, makers of DOT and O*Net for Windows. You can find a job title and job description in a number of ways. Link: https://occupationalinfo.org/
These reference documents are being brought to your attention because of the changing nature of the field and the convergence of electronic media to make it possible to engage anywhere. If music is your thing, you may find the resources here.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB) have partnered together to offer educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for those attending a technical college or attending university as an entering freshman, undergraduate, or graduate student.
This program awards students with scholarships to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board, and other additional costs associated with adaptive technology.
To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants need to be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships, be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part-time), and be involved in their school/local community. Other scholarships may be offered. Link: https://www.afb.org/about-afb/events-and-awards/afb-scholarships
The American Music Therapy Association Students – The American Music Therapy Association for Students (AMTAS) is pleased to offer scholarships for AMTA student members. Scholarships and grants for students, interns and grad students who are members of AMTA and are pursuing music therapy, some deadlines are September 15, 2021 @ 11:59 PM Local time. Link: http://www.amtas.org/scholarships.html
The ASCAP Foundation Scholarships (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) – The ASCAP Foundation is dedicated to nurturing the music talent of tomorrow, preserving the legacy of the past and sustaining the creative incentive for today’s creators through a variety of educational, professional, and humanitarian programs and activities which serve the entire music community. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is an American not-for-profit performance-rights organization that protects its members’ musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance and compensating them accordingly. Link: https://www.ascapfoundation.org/
The Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA), an association with member choruses across the upper part of the United States, has announced their music scholarship program.
This annual program is open to all qualified and deserving students of music. This year, successful candidates will be awarded scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $1,200 each. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in undergraduate university/college music programs during the academic years. Preference is for students specializing in vocal music studies, though students of instrumental music are also eligible. Candidates MUST be sponsored by a member chorus of the Associated Male Choruses of America. Interested candidates are required to complete an AMCA application form, submit it with three letters of reference plus a copy of their most recent transcript of courses/grades.
Completed application forms and accompanying documents, including a completed Chorus Sponsorship Form, must be received by the Associated Male Choruses of America Scholarship Chairman no later than March 1st for the following academic year. All scholarship applications must be endorsed by your local AMCofA chorus. Link: http://amcofa-sing.org/scholarships.html
The BMI Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music. The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 by executives of Broadcast Music Incorporated for the purpose of “encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, internships, grants, and commissions.” Additionally, the Foundation makes grants annually to other not-for-profit musical organizations. Link: https://bmifoundation.org/
Where Music Grows.
The John Lennon Scholarships are an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of contemporary musical genres including alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. Over the past twenty years, more than $400,000 in scholarships has been awarded to talented young musicians from colleges and universities throughout the United States, making this award one of the nation’s most esteemed accolades for emerging songwriters.
Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, this scholarship program honors the memory of one of the preeminent songwriters of the 20th century. Lennon’s enormous creative legacy includes “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Strawberry
Through the generosity of Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments, three scholarships totaling $20,000 are presented annually for the best original songs submitted to the competition. Applicants must be U.S. college students between the ages of 17 and 24. Link: https://bmifoundation.org/programs/info/john_lennon_scholarships
The Boettcher Foundation Scholarship supports Colorado’s high-potential graduating seniors by providing them with a comprehensive scholarship program to attend a Colorado college or university. Link: https://boettcherfoundation.org/
The Chopin Foundation’s mission is twofold: to assist young, talented American pianists in their career development and in so doing, open doors to international careers; and to make classical music, especially the music of Frederic Chopin, accessible to everyone. Renewable scholarships of $1,000 are awarded each year on a competitive basis to outstanding young American pianists who demonstrate a special affinity for the interpretation of Frédéric Chopin’s music. In addition, the Scholarship Committee may grant half-awards in the amount of $500 to qualified applicants. A half-award may be granted to an applicant only once during the four-year program. The Scholarship Program is open to all qualified American pianists (US citizens or legal residents) not younger than 14 and not older than 17 years of age on May 15 of their first year of application. Link: https://www.chopin.org/
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation – Gives scholarships to high school seniors. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation invests in our future — offering college scholarships to exceptional high school students dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others. We’ve done it for 32 years, changing the paths of more than 6,300 young people ready to change the world. Link: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/
Colburn-Pledge Music Scholarship Foundation – For Texas residents who attend or will attend music school in classical music either in or outside of the state. Awards totaling approximately $3,000 will be awarded among several students. Applicant must be a resident of Texas; studying a bowed string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) in classical music with the intention of becoming a professional musician; in need of financial aid (provide evidence); and above all, possess genuine musical talent. Applicants may be under high school age, high school age, or college students. Out-of-state residents are ineligible; however, Texas residents may attend out-of-state music schools and music camps. Link: https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/msp/funding/aid/scholarship/sccpms.php
The MENC Copyright Awareness Scholarship Program is open to all students 25 years of age or younger (at the time of application), who are currently enrolled in an accredited secondary school or post-secondary institution of higher learning (college, university, or trade school), and who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia. Link: https://collegewhale.com/menc-copyright-awareness-scholarship-program/#:
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $10k-$50k scholarships to gifted students who have completed a significant piece of work. Link: https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/fellows-scholarship/
ESU Music Scholarships – Awarded by English-Speaking Union (ESU) – Purpose: To enable musicians of outstanding ability to study at summer schools in the United States of America, Canada, France and United Kingdom.
Eligibility: Candidates must be students or graduates from a recognized United Kingdom conservatory or university music department. Link: https://www.postgraduatefunding.com/award-398#:
The Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education was created under the Will of Evalee C. Schwarz to provide interest-free loans to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and significant financial need. High school seniors may also apply. Link: https://evaleeschwarztrust.org/
FAME’s mission is to give every young musician the best opportunity to succeed in life by providing music training and academic support. We believe that children, teens, and young adults, regardless of social and economic need, should have access to quality music and music education as part of their journey to adulthood. We believe that if given the tools, including the power of music, program participants will become young adults of a well-rounded character, and part of the next generation of leaders for our community and our nation.
Vision: Every young musician is prepared for college, career, and lifelong learning. Link: http://famemusic.org/
Fund for the Advancement of Musical Arts. FAMA grants are designed to support a specific music education/outreach project. They are non-renewable and are not intended to support ongoing projects. New grant applicants will receive priority over previous grant recipients, and preference will be given to community projects that strengthen music education/music appreciation in the United States. Link: https://www.nfmc-music.org/competitions-awards/grants/
2021 – 2023 YOUNG ARTIST WINNERS – Link: https://www.nfmc-music.org/young-artists/
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to 300 of these student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Phase I of The Gates Scholarship Application is due Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 5:00PM PT. Link: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
How Music Breaks Down Language Barriers
Music will always be a part of human life. People listen to it in the morning, while driving, during special events, or even in the most ordinary of days. You may also find it very hard to imagine life without music. That would make life boring, and that’s not even an exaggeration.
As Victor Hugo once said, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain.” In simpler terms, it means that music can bring people together regardless of race, religion, or language for this matter.
It is through music that different individuals can communicate thoughts without the need to understand the lyrics of a song, take “Happy Birthday” for example. Any person would surely recognize the song whether played in French or Spanish because well, it’s a popular song. People around the world have been playing the song for decades. Music is surely a universal language.
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – Author T. A. Barron founded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes in 2001 and named the prize after his mother, a quiet hero in his own life. A long-time advocate of the power of youth, Barron writes about fictional young heroes in his novels, but champions inspiring young people in real life. Winners each receive $10,000 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project. Link: https://barronprize.org/
Golden Key International Honor Society – Atlanta, Georgia-based non-profit organization founded in 1977 to recognize academic achievement among college and university students. Visual & Performing Arts Achievement Award- Mixed Media Category winner ($1,000) “Winning this award makes the difference in studying without financial constraint or burden, but more so, it encourages me in that Golden Key truly invests in and rewards its members. Link: https://goldenkey.org/
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship – Since 2005, From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation have awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to exceptional young musicians with financial need. In addition to providing these young artists with an opportunity to perform on From the Top’s national broadcasts, recipients are awarded up to $10,000 to help offset the often prohibitively expensive costs of studying classical music at a high level. Each year, From the Top chooses approximately 20 exceptional pre-collegiate musicians ages 8-18 to receive the Award. Link: https://fromthetop.org/about-us/jack-kent-cooke-young-artist-award/
The Jazz Education Network is dedicated to building the jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting performance and developing new audiences. JEN is committed to representing and cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of its operation including staff, board members, volunteers, presenters, clinicians, performers and audiences. JEN offers several scholarships. Deadlines are typically in September. Link: https://jazzednet.org/
Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Medical Conditions – Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the “difficulty learning in a typical manner”, this does not exclude the ability to learn in a different manner. Therefore, some people can be more accurately described as having a “learning difference”, thus avoiding any misconception of being disabled with a lack of ability to learn and possible negative stereotyping. In the United Kingdom, the term “learning disability” generally refers to an intellectual disability, while difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia are usually referred to as “learning difficulties”. Link: https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/adhd-scholarships/
The Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship Program – Artists studying voice & music know all too well the importance of scholarships. The money received helps them continue their vocal studies and to prepare in other ways for a career in opera and/or concert stages. During Mario Lanza’s lifetime, he dreamed of establishing a scholarship program to help young vocal students realize their dreams. Mario’s untimely death in 1959 prevented him from seeing the dream become a reality.
In our dedication to keeping Mario’s dream alive, the Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship Program was established. During our 59-year history, the Mario Lanza Institute has awarded over 200 vocal scholarships to talented, aspiring young singers. The support and dedication of thousands over the years has been the lifeblood of the MLI Scholarship Program.
Applicants come from many parts of the U.S. and foreign countries. Each spring, the Institute’s Board of Directors, working together with the administrators of the competition, review the criteria for selecting applicants for the coming year. Applications are prepared and forwarded to various schools throughout the country and are provided to anyone who has the ability and desire to compete. A requirement for application is that the student must have a vocal/music study background. This may consist of either previous enrollment or current enrollment in a study program. Currently there is only one program category for ages 21 through 28. Prizes awarded are First Place: $2,000, Second Place: $1,500, and Third Place: $1,000. Link: https://www.mariolanzainstitute.org/programs/scholarships/
The Music Business Association creates the rooms in which the important conversations that shape our industry’s future take place. We know when we work together, our industry, your business and your people will be stronger! Our membership represents every major segment of the global music business. Offers scholarships to employees, children, and spouses of employees of Music Business Association member companies. Link: https://musicbiz.org/about/scholarship-foundation/
peermusic Latin Scholarship – for songwriters and composers of Latin music – The peermusic Latin Scholarship is an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of Latin music. One of the few distinctions of its kind, the award was established in 2003 through the generosity and vision of peermusic CEO, Ralph Peer II. For over a decade, the program has nurtured promising musicians who have gone on to distinguish themselves in the fields of television, film, recorded music, and concert performance. Platinum artist and BMI songwriter Gloria Trevi serves as honorary spokesperson for the competition. A $5,000 scholarship is presented annually for the best original song or instrumental composition in any Latin genre. Link: https://bmifoundation.org/programs/info/peermusic_latin_scholarship
The Prudential Spirit Of Community Awards – The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. To be eligible, you must: be in grades 5-12 as of November 10, 2020. Awards: State Honorees a $2,500 scholarship, National Honorees receive an additional $5,000 scholarship and more… Link: https://spirit.prudential.com/
The Percussive Arts Society is the world’s largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. PAS offers students and professionals opportunities to grow artistically and professionally. PAS proudly awards over $60,000 annually in scholarships and grants. Professionals can create new percussion programs or gain recognition through PAS grants and contests. Many individuals have significantly impacted the world of percussion through the Percussive Arts Society, and they are recognized in our Hall of Fame and Awards pages. Link: https://www.pas.org/
The Sphinx Competition is a national competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges, and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians. Prizes range from $3,000 to the top $50,000. Link: https://www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-competition/
Music Scholarships – Studies have shown that students who complete music courses score higher on their SATs, have higher GPAs and receive more academic honors than their counterparts. But once they graduate from high school, it’s not a test score but a love for music that drives them to continue their studies.
Those who aspire to be exceptional musicians are often faced with fierce competition – competition that makes many reconsider a future in the music business. Because a postsecondary education is costly regardless of major and students are frequently forced to opt for better-paid, more secure fields, the ones they know will make it easier to earn a living and pay down their student loans.
This is an unfortunate side effect of the rising tuition costs, but we’re determined to reverse the trend through providing deserving students with music scholarship opportunities. The University of Hawaii, Westmont College and the ASCAP offer various music scholarships but for students looking for more options, Scholarships.com is THE place to look.
Scholarships.com is dedicated to helping students pursue a career based on their interests rather than their finances. When students complete our free college scholarships search, they can find information about numerous music scholarships – awards specifically restricted to those planning to study music. Information about more than 2.7 million scholarships and grants can be found at our site. At Scholarships.com, students will have free access to our college search, a regularly updated education blog and detailed information about college scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships and student loans. And that’s just the beginning. Music to our ears! Link: https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-major/music-scholarships/
Top Music Scholarship – Music is such a passion for certain students that they want to make a career out of doing what they love. While a career as a music teacher is rewarding for many, there are other options, including audio engineering, video game sound design, and music therapy. Whatever musical career path you decide upon, you can undoubtedly use a few scholarships to help fund your education.
Keep on reading to learn more about our top music scholarships including eligibility, award amount, and application deadlines! Link: https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-music-scholarships/
YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers. Link: https://youngarts.org/
Serenity Pimentel a 15 year old high school sophomore, contributed to this effort. In her words: “I want to be a Music Producer because I have always been familiar with singing, raping, and dance and I chose to become one in South Korea. I like K-POP which is Korean Pop Music. Since I like it so much then I thought that I will become a Music Producer in South Korea with the K-POP Industry.”
The 4.00 GPA student has a dual plan in mind which we will build towards, following a pathway to this activity and also to explore careers in the Medical Technical arena.
IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU MAY BE PLANNING TO FAIL.
NOTE: The Funding College Project does not endorse any of the scholarships or financial aid sites listed, nor can we confirm the accuracy of information provided by these sites. Link: www.educatingouryouth.org
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