Music Department Scholarship

The Music Department Scholarship application is available online. Only complete scholarship applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR INCOMING STUDENTS:

• It is not necessary to have been accepted to Columbia at the time you apply for this scholarship, though you must have a completed Admissions file received by the Undergraduate Office by January 15, 2013.
• It is important to complete your FAFSA soon after January 1st as possible.
• If you are an intended Music major and are completing the Music Department Scholarship application, you do not need to complete the Presidential Scholarship application. You may indicate on the Music Department Scholarship application that you wish to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CONTINUING FRESHMEN:

• Continuing freshmen who have completed less than two semesters in Columbia's Music program by January 15, 2013 need to follow the instructions below to be considered for the Music Department Scholarship.

Please follow all directions carefully. Students must submit the following materials to make a complete Music Department Scholarship application - there are six parts to the application:

Submit a list that describes any additional materials or information that supports your application such as honors, awards, achievements, and performances you feel are significant.

Submit a brief statement in 150 words or less that will help the scholarship committee understand your long-term educational and musical career goals.

Three letters of recommendation are required. The letters should be completed by instructors who are best qualified to comment on your musical abilities (private lesson teacher, band/orchestra instructor, choir leader, etc.).

Note: Remember to contact your recommender directly before providing his/her information on the application. Be sure to give recommenders as much time as possible to write the letters. Requests made at the last minute are often difficult to fulfill by the deadline.

Submit documented samples of your best musical work in your intended area of study. Samples should demonstrate your strong talent, ability, or achievement.

• MUSIC COMPOSITION: Submit three samples of your compositions; provide scores and/or recordings if available.
• CONTEMPORARY, URBAN, AND POPULAR MUSIC (CUP): 
  
  INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL: Submit a video performance of two songs of your choice from the list below.
  
  CUP SINGER/SONGWRITERS:Submit a video performance of one song of your choice from the list below. Additionally, submit a video performance of two original songs. Include lyrics for both songs.
  
  CUP Audition Repertoire:
  • Red House (Jimi Hendrix)
  • Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield)
  • Use Me (Bill Withers)
  • Brown Skin (india.arie)
  • Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer)
  • Good Thing (Fine Young Cannibals)
  • People Got to Be Free (Rascals)
  • A Change Would Do You Good (Sheryl Crow)
  • Hard to Handle (Black Crowes)
• INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ: Submit a video performance of two Jazz standards of comparable quality. Each piece should run no longer than 5 minutes.
• INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE: Submit a video performance of two pieces in contrasting styles. (ie: Classical/Pop, Jazz/Rock, etc.) Each piece should run no longer than 5 minutes.
• VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Submit a video performance of two songs in contrasting styles (ie: Classical/Pop, Jazz/Musical Theater, etc.) Each song should run no longer than 5 minutes.

The application will allow you to upload your work samples in the following formats:

• IMAGES: .jpg, .png, .gif - 10 MB per file maximum
• VIDEO: .mov, .wmv, .flv, mp4 - 120 MB per file maximum
• AUDIO: .mp3 - 60 MB per file maximum
• WRITTEN DOCUMENTS: .pdf only - 20 MB per file maximum; (Many text editors give you the ability to "Save as PDF" format, or you can do this through the Print window on a Mac. If you use a PC without PDF software, there are free programs you can download, such as Bullzip
• URL Link: type link to media on YouTube, Vimeo and Soundcloud.

In-person auditions are a part of the scholarship application process. Once you have started your Music Department Scholarship application, schedule your live audition by contacting Mary Blinn at 312.369.6149. The deadline for scheduling an audition is 4:00 pm on February 1, 2013. Please visit the Music Department website for detailed audition information.

Please Note: Your audition appointment can be made before you complete your scholarship application. Make your audition appointment as soon as possible.

A current Student Aid Report (SAR) must be on file as soon after January 1, 2013 as possible. To receive an SAR, students must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA), available after January 1st of each year.

The Music Department Scholarship application is available online through your OASIS portal. Only complete scholarship applications submitted by the February 1, 2013 deadline will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.

Please follow all directions carefully. Students must submit the following materials to make a complete Music Department Scholarship application - there are three parts to the application:

In 600 words or less, provide information pertinent to your achievements that you wish to have considered by the scholarship committee.

Three letters of recommendation are required to complete your application. The letters must be completed by the following:

1. The director of your program concentration (vocal, composition, instrumental, jazz, or CUP)
2. Your private lesson instructor
3. Your ensemble director

Note: Remember to contact your recommender directly before providing his/her information on the application. Be sure to give faculty members as much time as possible to write the letters. Requests made at the last minute are often difficult for faculty to fulfill by the deadline.

A current Student Aid Report (SAR) must be on file. To receive an SAR, students must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA), available after January 1st of each year.

Access online application form through OASIS portal:

1. Applicant Portal: You may scroll through the list of scholarship programs until you locate the Music Department Scholarship, and then select the "Start Application" link.


2. Scholarship Search: Select the "Search Scholarships" link in the navigation on the left-hand side of the page. You may search for the Music Department Scholarship by using category, keyword, or description/name search. Once you locate the program, select the "More Info" link to be taken to the application form.

• Applications must be submitted by specified deadline for review by the committee
• Maximum award amount varies and is awarded half in Fall and half in Spring
• Recipients who graduate in Fall 2013 will receive a one-semester award equal to half the total award amount
• Award is applied toward tuition costs
• Continuing students must be enrolled as full-time Music majors at the time of application
• Maintain full-time enrollment (15 credit hours) as an undergraduate Music major
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for renewal
• Participate in one large ensemble, as designated by the Music Department
• Participate in one small group/ensemble, as designated by the Music Department
• Continue to file for financial aid each year by completing a FAFSA application
• Students who interrupt their enrollment or enroll in less than 15 credit hours during the scholarship period may not be considered for renewal
• Scholarship may not be used toward independent study abroad programs. Please note: Recipients who enroll in an independent study abroad program will forfeit their scholarship during the semester spent abroad
• Recipients will be asked to submit a short biography describing their background and life goals, which will be shared with donors. Portions of the essay may also be used for publication
• The rules governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply
• Students who are not selected to receive an award may apply in subsequent years
• Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to withhold the award in any year in which, at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee, suitable candidates cannot be found among the applicants