Music Merit Scholarship 2024
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Music Merit Scholarship 2024

Our Music Merit Scholarship is open to young instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 3–12. Created in 1968 when the camp was founded, this scholarship has allowed over 1,000 students to attend Usdan and pursue their musical passion.  

Majors Grades (Current Grade) 
Concert Band  3–12 
Orchestra 3–12 
Senior Vocal Ensemble 6–12 
Jazz Ensemble 7–12 

Applications close on May 24, 2024. Audition results will be shared on a rolling basis but not more than three weeks after auditions. 

Apply [NEED LINK]

 


AUDITION & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Applicants should prepare about 5-10 minutes of solo music. NYSSMA pieces are acceptable, although specific pieces are not required. Students may be asked to play scales and/or perform sight reading. Students should not play band or orchestra pieces from school.  

Students must have at least one year of experience playing their instrument and must be able to read sheet music. Students must also submit a teacher recommendation letter. Letters can be emailed directly to enrollment@usdan.org. Teachers can use our recommendation letter tips for help writing their letters. 

Students are not required to enroll in camp before their audition but are encouraged as classes may fill up before final decisions are released.  

HOW TO APPLY 

Students should submit a brief application through Submittable and complete an audition. Students can choose to audition live on -campus or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, applicants can submit a pre-recorded audition with their application. Please note, preference will be given to students who choose to do a live audition, either on campus or virtually. 

Live Auditions

Live auditions will be conducted on campus on the dates listed below or scheduled via Microsoft Teams based on availability of Usdan staff. Auditions will be 15–20 minutes long and include a brief get-to-know-you interview. Students should bring an additional copy of their music; a piano score is an acceptable copy. 

On-campus audition dates: 

Sunday, March 24 

Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 

Sundays, May 5, 19 

Pre-recorded Auditions

Students wishing to submit a pre-recorded audition via Submittable should submit a recording of their solo in its entirety. Recordings should not exceed 10 minutes in length. Students will also be asked to upload a copy of their sheet music. 

DEADLINE

Applications close on May 24, 2024.

JUDGING CRITERIA 

Merit Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria: 

  • Technical skills 
  • Passion and motivation 
  • Usdan’s instrument and music needs based on enrollment 
  • Teacher recommendation 

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD AMOUNTS 

Award amounts will vary from 10-95% of tuition for classic 4- or 8-week programs in music only. View rates.