The School of Music awards Undergraduate and Graduate scholarship based on the incoming student’s audition (this is separate from any academic merit or need-based aid that the University awards to undergraduate students). These performance-based music scholarships are awarded to incoming Music Majors who demonstrate exceptional performance skills. Music scholarships are awarded across the full range of music majors and principals and divided equally among the voice, keyboard and instrumental departments, as well as the different audition days. A limited number of instrumental music scholarships are also given to non-music majors and to non-instrumental principals for participation in instrumental ensembles.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Students may have a School of Music scholarship in addition to their merit or need-based aid from the University. There is no additional application for School of Music scholarships, unless you are a pianist who wants to apply for the Woods Piano Scholarship.
- Woods Piano Scholarship
- University and School of Music acceptance
- Woods Scholarship Application
- Audition in person at Belmont University (video auditions are not accepted for this scholarship)
- Interview with the Piano Faculty on the day of your live audition
- A sonata movement from the standard classical repertory, excluding Beethoven Sonatas Op. 49, no. 1 & 2; Op. 27, no. 2 (1st mvt.); Op. 13 (1st and 2nd mvt.).
- A Bach Prelude & Fugue from the Well Tempered Klavier, excluding E Minor, Book I.
- A piece from the Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods.
- Two classical selections of contrasting styles, excluding Beethoven Sonatas Op. 49, no. 1 & 2; Op. 27, no. 1 (1st mvt.); Op. 13 (1st and 2nd mvt.).
- Two commercial selections of contrasting styles(examples of commercial styles include: jazz, latin jazz, rock, blues, country, gospel and pop or jazz ballad). At least one commercial selection should demonstrate improvisational skills.
- The ability to improvise and knowledge of chord symbols are required of commercial pianists.
- Must demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios and be able to sight read at a level equivalent of a hymn or chorale.
Woods Piano Scholarship
The only School of Music scholarship awarded by special audition and application process is The Woods Piano Scholarship. This scholarship was endowed in 2007 by the estate of Marydale Woods and is open to all incoming freshmen and transfer piano students.
To apply for the Woods Piano Scholarship, the prospective student selects one of live audition dates, fills out the Woods Piano Scholarship Application (see the link below) and then submits the application by mail along with a letter of recommendation from the current piano teacher. The Woods Piano Scholarship Application should be received no later than two weeks before the desired audition date.
Requirements for the Scholarship
Audition Requirements for the Woods Piano Scholarship:
If a Classical pianist:
If a Commercial pianist:
Both Classical and Commercial pianists:
Woods Scholarship Audition Application
After you have downloaded and printed the application form, please fill it out completely and mail to:
Merrydale Woods Scholarship
Belmont University
School of Music
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
Direct any questions about the Woods Piano Scholarship or the audition/application process to:
Dr. Daniel Landes, Coordinator
Keyboard Area
Belmont University
School of Music
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
email: dan.landes@belmont.edu
615-460-8221
The deadline for video audition scholarship consideration is Friday, February 7, 2020. Video auditions submitted after the deadline cannot be guaranteed to be considered for scholarship.
If you receive a School of Music scholarship, you will receive an award letter from the School of Music. Students who audition in the fall will receive music scholarship notification by December 16. Students who audition in the spring will receive music scholarship notification by March 16. The School of Music typically awards music scholarships to approximately 25-30% of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to four years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time music major and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester.
Information about need-based or merit scholarships can be found on the Student Financial Services page.
Graduate Scholarships
All applicants to the graduate program are automatically considered for School of Music Graduate Scholarships. Vocalists seeking consideration for the Nashville Opera Fellowship will need to complete additional material.
If you receive a School of Music scholarship, you will receive a letter from the School of Music to sign by March 15. The School of Music typically awards music scholarships to approximately 25 -30% of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to two years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time Graduate Student and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester.