Awards and Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded to undergraduate music majors and non-music majors who demonstrate significant music ability. Criteria for awarding music scholarships include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) music ability demonstrated through a performance audition, 2) past music achievement in state music festivals, competitions, and honor ensembles, 3) the needs of the School of Music to achieve ensembles with balanced instrumentation or balanced voice parts and desired enrollment levels in various applied music studios, and 4) general academic achievement. Recipients of music scholarships are usually required to participate in one or more music ensemble(s). Students with larger scholarships are usually required to enroll for applied music study. Scholarships received by freshmen are renewable and may be awarded for four additional years or until the completion of the first degree program, which ever comes first, provided that the student meets the following criteria:

1) remain a student in good standing,
2) maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better in all course work,
3) make satisfactory progress toward the completion of your degree program,
4) be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours) throughout teach fall and winter semester, and
5) satisfactorily complete all rehearsal and performance requirements each semester that are associated with this scholarship.
Failure to meet one or more of these criteria is grounds for termination of the scholarship.

The School of Music holds auditions on designated scholarship audition dates each year. For those who can not perform on a regularly scheduled audition day, individual auditions may be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.

In addition to renewable scholarships, specially named scholarships and awards are given each spring at Honors Convocation to selected students who have distinguished themselves academically and/or musically during the academic year.

Scholarship and award opportunities include:

Horace Allen and Ruth Melcher Allen Scholarship

An undergraduate or graduate wind, string or piano student with high scholastic ability and good character who has made important contributions to activities of the School of Music.
Jan Blankenship Memorial Scholarship in Piano

A full-time student of exceptional music ability enrolled as a piano major in the bachelor of music degree program. The scholarship fund was established to honor Jan Blankenship, former professor of piano at MU.

Carl & Jane Ann Bolte Spirit Award

An annual scholarship shall be made to a deserving Marching Mizzou band member. The recipient shall be the band member who exhibits the most spirit and dedication to Marching Mizzou and to MU.
Jean McGregor Bower Memorial Scholarship in Piano

A music major with piano emphasis. Recipient(s) must have a financial need, and a demonstrated dedication to the understanding and enjoyment of music. Grade point average is not a selection criterion. This award is given in honor of Jean McGregor Bower, AB '49.

Charles L. Emmons Scholarship

An outstanding band student at MU. This scholarship fund was established to honor Charles L. Emmons, former director of bands and chair of the music department.
Leah Lou Emmons Music Scholarship

An outstanding string instrument student in the Philharmonic Orchestra. The scholarship fund was established to honor Leah Lou Emmons, pianist and wife of Charles L.. Emmons. Mr. Emmons was formerly director of bands, and chair of the music department.

Bryan J. Fitzgerald Memorial Sousaphone Scholarship

An outstanding full-time undergraduate student who has given exceptional performance service as a member of the sousaphone section of Marching Mizzou.
Dorothy Frances Miller String Scholarship

Awarded to an outstanding cello student.
* Friends of Music Scholarship

Entering freshmen, transfer students, and students who may be either music majors or non-music majors. All recipients must perform in one or more assigned music ensembles; those receiving large awards also must enroll in applied music. Scholarships vary in amount depending on the student's musical ability and scholastic standing, and the needs of the School of Music. Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of five years or until the completion of the first degree (whichever comes first) provided that all renewal criteria (including 2.75 GPA) are met. Auditions are required of all recipients.
Dale E. Kennedy Memorial Scholarship

An outstanding wind or percussion student in the band program. This scholarship fund was established to honor the late Dale Kennedy, director of bands at MU.

Paulina Kuntze Music Award

A student of exceptional merit in the field of music composition.
Judith L. Lavin Memorial Scholarship

Undergraduate music major enrolled in the bachelor of music degree program in piano performance or the bachelor of music education program with a piano concentration. Recipient shall have innate musical talent, a capacity to work diligently, a commitment to musical progress, and a desire to share music through teaching and performance. Scholarship is renewable.

Paul and Gertrude Mathews Scholarship in Music Education

An outstanding junior, senior or graduate student majoring in music education. The recipient shall possess outstanding teaching potential, and after graduation teach music in a public or private school or college for at least two years. This scholarship fund was established to honor the memory of Paul Mathews, former professor of music education at MU.

Tom Mills Foundation University Singers Scholarship

Students enrolled in University Singers who have made outstanding contributions to the ensemble. This scholarship fund was established by former members of University Singers in honor of Tom Mills, director of the University Singers for 25 years.
* Music Performance Scholarships

Entering freshmen and transfer students who may be either music majors or non-music majors. All recipients must perform in one or more assigned music ensembles; those receiving large awards must also enroll in applied music. Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of five years or until the completion of the first degree (whichever comes first), provided that all renewal criteria (including 2.75 GPA) are met. Auditions are required of all recipients.
Raymond and Vaona Peck Friends of Music Scholarship in Music

Students demonstrating exceptional and outstanding achievement in music.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia/Michael Deppe Memorial Scholarship

A music or music education major with high scholarship and musical ability. The recipient cannot be a member of Phi Mu Alpha.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Scholarship

A music or music education major in good standing. The recipient must have completed at least 90 credit hours of course work in a music or music education degree program, must be a member of Zeta chapter in good standing and have earned a high scholastic record.
* William and Stella Pommer Scholarship

An outstanding student enrolled in music in the first or second year at MU. This scholarship fund was established by Sibyl Pommer to honor her parents. William Pommer was formerly professor and chairman of music at MU.
Robert J. Schwegman University Singers Scholarship

Outstanding students in the University Singers who are worthy in character, have financial need and show intention to remain members of the Singers.
Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship

An outstanding woman member of Iota Lambda chapter of SAI with high ability, musical talent and financial need.
* Roman M. Tross Memorial Scholarship

A full-time out-of-state undergraduate student majoring in music. Should be a woodwind player, must have financial need, must have been in the upper one-third of the high-school graduating class and must maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA. This scholarship fund was established to honor the memory of Roman M. Tross, an MU alumnus in music education.
Ella Ferguson Turner Memorial Piano Scholarship

An outstanding piano student in the School of Music.
Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship

Students demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in music.

*Recipients are eligible to receive only one of the scholarships marked with an asterisk.