Music scholarships

Music scholarships

Music scholarships

The Northwestern College music department offers a variety of scholarships for students who want to be involved in music at NWC. We schedule auditions all year long, but we encourage you to audition by Dec. 15 to receive the best scholarship offer.

The Northwestern College music department offers a variety of scholarships for students who want to be involved in music at NWC. We schedule auditions all year long, but we encourage you to audition by Dec. 15 to receive the best scholarship offer.

The Northwestern College music department offers a variety of scholarships for students who want to be involved in music at NWC. We schedule auditions all year long, but we encourage you to audition by Dec. 15 to receive the best scholarship offer.

All-State musicians are guaranteed a minimum scholarship of $3,000. 

How to apply

How to apply

How to apply

  1. Fill out our online music scholarship application.
  2. Schedule your in-person audition or, if the distance you live from campus prevents you from a live audition, you can audition by video.
  3. After your audition, you will receive notice of your scholarship by mail.
  4. To accept your scholarship, complete and return the acceptance form included with your scholarship notice.
  1. Fill out our online music scholarship application.
  2. Schedule your in-person audition or, if the distance you live from campus prevents you from a live audition, you can audition by video.
  3. After your audition, you will receive notice of your scholarship by mail.
  4. To accept your scholarship, complete and return the acceptance form included with your scholarship notice.
  1. Fill out our online music scholarship application.
  2. Schedule your in-person audition or, if the distance you live from campus prevents you from a live audition, you can audition by video.
  3. After your audition, you will receive notice of your scholarship by mail.
  4. To accept your scholarship, complete and return the acceptance form included with your scholarship notice.

When to audition

When to audition

When to audition

Audition requirements

Audition requirements

Audition requirements

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In-person auditions

Instrumental or keyboard auditions

  • Two-octave major scales up to two flats or two sharps (scales not required for keyboard)
  • Sight reading
  • Prepared piece
    • Piano: classical solo (minimum of 3 minutes)
    • All others: one short piece or etude that demonstrates two contrasting styles (or two contrasting pieces)
    • Please bring an additional copy of your audition music for the faculty member.

Vocal auditions

  • Range check
  • Sight reading
  • Sing a familiar hymn tune (or you may bring a prepared solo for your audition)

No CD accompaniments, please. You are welcome to provide your own accompanist, or one will be provided by the college. It isn't necessary to mail your accompaniment music in advance.

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Video auditions

Instrumental or keyboard auditions

  • Two-octave major scales up to two flats or two sharps (scales not required for keyboard)
  • Prepared piece
    • Piano: classical solo (minimum of 3 minutes)
    • All others: one short piece or etude that demonstrates two contrasting styles (or two contrasting pieces)

Vocal auditions

  • Two short contrasting solos, with or without accompaniment (one may be a hymn)

Video auditions can be submitted in DVD format or shared from YouTube.

More scholarship opportunities

More scholarship opportunities

More scholarship opportunities

Music Performance Scholarship
  • Available to any student regardless of major
  • Can be renewed annually
  • Awarded based on past music experience, potential for further development, music teacher recommendation and an audition

Apply

McGilvra Music Scholarship
  • For incoming freshman music majors, but music minors and transfer students may also be considered
  • $2,500 for the first year and $1,500 in subsequent years (renewable for all four years)
  • Available in vocal music, keyboard, music ministry, percussion, strings, brass, woodwinds and composition
    • To be considered for the McGilvra Composition Scholarship, applicants must submit one or two compositions in manuscript, PDF, or Finale format. Email Michelle Kelderman for details.
  • Preference given to students who apply and audition by Dec. 15

Apply

John + Ann Den Hartog Dutchmen Field Championship Scholarship
  • For an incoming freshman who has performed at the Dutchmen Field Championship marching band competition in Orange City, Iowa
  • One-year $1,000 scholarship
  • Awarded to a student who applies for a music scholarship, auditions and participates in the Northwestern College Symphonic Band

Apply