Friends of Music
Formed in 1978, the Friends of Music scholarship program is intended to help recruit the most talented student performers to the University of Missouri School of Music. Each year, a number of gifted student musicians attend the University with financial support from the Friends of Music. Donations to the Friends of Music are used exclusively for music scholarships.
Brady and Anne Deaton Friends of Music Endowment
Friends and colleagues of Brady and Anne Deaton donated gifts in their honor upon Dr. Deaton’s retirement as Chancellor of the University of Missouri to create this endowment. The Deaton fund provides scholarship support for students in the School of Music.
Richard and Patricia Wallace Friends of Music Endowment Fund
Friends and colleagues of Richard and Patricia Wallace donated gifts in their honor upon Dr. Wallace’s retirement as Chancellor of the University of Missouri to create this endowment. The Wallace fund provides scholarship support for students in the School of Music.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Dr. Alex Pickard (1936-2019) came to MU in 1961 to be the trumpet professor and five years later, became the Director of Marching Mizzou for the next twenty years. Under his direction, Marching Mizzou students delighted fans with theatrical halftime performances including innovations like the famous “Flip Tigers” drill and formed new spirit groups like Mini Mizzou and the Golden Girls. In 1975 he took the band to England, where they performed in iconic Wembley, Chelsea, and Twickenham stadiums. A year later the famous MIZ-ZOU chant was born, coined by band members after a 22-21 football victory over Ohio State. In 1982, Dr. Pickard continued to serve as Associate Chairman until his retirement in 2002. This fund was created by he and his wife, Anne-Marie, to help support students in Marching Mizzou with scholarships and awards.
Gary J. Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Gary Jerome Taylor’s outgoing and helpful nature was ever radiant throughout his life. Born and raised in Portageville, MO, Gary enrolled at MU after an active high school life and Columbia became his home for the next 33 years. Gary forged the most amazing friendships in Columbia through affiliations with Marching Mizzou, Residence Halls Association, Summer Welcome Program, Cougar Brass Band, Urban Empowerment Ministries, and employers Job Point & MBS Textbook Exchange. In recent years, Gary served as the volunteer director of the Marching Mizzou Alumni Band. Gary died unexpectedly on December 1, 2016 at the age of 51.
Gary left an indelible mark on those who knew and loved him. A gift to Gary’s scholarship fund will continue to honor Gary’s practice of ensuring the lives he touched were changed for the better.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Marching Mizzou Alumni Band Scholarships
For applications on these scholarships, see the M2AB website.
Marching Mizzou Scholarship Fund
The Marching Mizzou Scholarship Fund has been recently established as an umbrella fund for all of our scholarships, both general and named, for Marching Mizzou students. Read more about each fund below for an application (if necessary) or a place to donate!
University Singers Thomas L. Mills Endowment
MU's University Singers have been recognized as one of the premiere university choirs in the United States. They have performed all over the world with international tours every 2-3 years and have been invited to perform all over the United States including major conferences and even the White House. This fund supports all things related to University Singers including scholarships, travel, music, teaching assistantships, and special opportunities.
Thomas L. Mills (1920-1995)
University Singers and Choral Director 1952-1977
He invited all students to audition regardless of major. He understood the benefits of performance and always tried with every concert to give the audience “what they wanted” but also to “bring them up a notch.” University Singers under his direction, filled Jesse Auditorium for their concerts. - Suzanne Parker Nichols, B.S.Ed. 1968
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Nathan Ward Memorial Scholarship Endowment
In October of 2018, depression took the life of Nathan Ward, a 2013 graduate of the MU School of Music. Nathan's skills in cello, piano, composition and voice resulted in many awards, successful competitions and a bright future. Following graduation from the School of Music, Nathan was accepted to Northwestern University and completed a Master of Music degree in voice in 2016. He spent three summers singing in San Diego with Opera NEO, and the summers of 2016 and 2017 with Central City Opera in Colorado. Nathan joined Opera for the Young in Madison, Wisconsin for their 2016-17 season and joined Opera Colorado during their 2017-18 season. Because Nathan touched so many through his artistry and shared generously his passion for music, this Scholarship, the Nathan Ward Memorial Scholarship, honors his memory and hopes to assist future, talented students during their studies at Mizzou.
This scholarship is awarded to an incoming undergraduate student in voice who displays exceptional vocal talent and possesses superior musical skills. The scholarship is open to all voices, but preference will be given to tenors, Nathan’s voice type.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Budds Center for American Music Studies
For 30 years, Dr. Michael Budds instilled in his students a passion for music and the role it has played in our society and culture. From 1982 until 2012, Dr. Budds made his Jazz, Pop, and Rock class one of the most popular on Mizzou’s campus. In addition to his teaching legacy, Dr. Budds has generously gifted $4 million to establish the Budds Center for American Music Studies - a destination for the research, teaching, archiving, and celebrating musical achievement within the United States. This center, dedicated to the unique aspects of musical expression throughout American history, will be an academic destination for music scholars around the country. The center will also place a special emphasis on the musical culture within the state of Missouri, and provide a wide range of learning opportunities on campus for music majors, nonmajors, and members of the public. It is Dr. Budd’s vision not only to expand Mizzou’s existing focus on American music, but to establish the MU School of Music as a national model for the study of American music. Your gift to the Michael J. Budds American Music Endowment will benefit the Budds Center for American Music Studies, honor Dr. Budds, and help his vision come true!
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Music Educators Scholarship
This endowment was established by several individuals in 1988 to benefit student in music education. Funds are primarily used for scholarship support of undergraduate and graduate students.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Charles L. Emmons Scholarship
Charles L. Emmons was a member of the music faculty from 1957-1982. During this time, he was the Director of Marching Mizzou, Director of the University Philharmonic, violist with the University String Quartet, and Chair of the Music Department. Charles and his wife, Leah Lou, established the endowment in 1989 to provide an award to an outstanding member of Marching Mizzou at the annual Honors Convocation each spring.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.
Leah Lou Emmons Scholarship
Leah Lou Emmons was the wife of Charles Emmons who was a member of the music faculty from 1957-1982. During this time, he was the Director of Marching Mizzou, Director of the University Philharmonic, violist with the University String Quartet, and Chair of the Music Department. Charles and Leah Lou established the endowment in 1989 to provide awards to string students at the annual Honors Convocation each spring.
You can give to this fund by going to https://www.giving.missouri.edu and entering the name of the fund.