As soon as you decide to apply for a music scholarship, you must develop a specific action plan. You will need a lot of time to prepare all the necessary documents along with the rehearsal of your audition piece. This guide to finding the right music scholarship will help you get less stressed and more organized. Follow the steps listed in it to make sure you remember all critical points.
Before you apply
Before discussing the possible ways of finding perfect music scholarships, look through these valuable tips on applying for one. Finding the right scholarship is not as challenging as filling all the documents and preparing for the audition. You should work hard on your application because it represents your skills and knowledge. Let it stand out from the rest of the applicants.
Include a personal statement in your application. If you are unsure how to write it and what information to include, don’t hesitate to ask someone for assistance. Many online writing services will be glad to help you. If you want to do it yourself, look through some personal statement examples to get the necessary inspiration.
Find as much information as you can. Let the committee know that you have not picked this school randomly. Explain why you want to get this internship. Also, explain why you are the best choice among the other candidates. Appeal to specific facts from your research on the school/foundation in general and an internship in particular.
Practice regularly. Believe in yourself and hope to get invited to the interview and audition. You don’t want to fail after waiting for this opportunity for so long. Therefore, prepare at least two audition pieces and practice all the time to bring your performance to perfection.
Types of scholarships
To make the right choice, you must explore all the available options. Some scholarships focus on those who play specific instruments – a guitar, piano, cello, etc. Others do not have particular requirements for musical instruments. Check if there are any requirements for the area of music performance before you apply.
One more difference between scholarships is the source of funding. Some are connected to specific schools, while others get funds from private organizations and beneficiaries of the music industry. When writing your personal statement, ensure that you know where you are applying.
Finally, learn the motivation of all the scholarships you want to apply to because some of them have specific aspirations from graduates. For instance, there are many scholarships for those who plan to become music teachers. Think carefully about what career path you wish to pursue. If being a teacher is different from your goal, choose scholarships to help performers achieve their dreams.
How to find the right scholarship
Now that you have all the necessary information, write a list of specific characteristics that a perfect scholarship should have. Remember that you can apply for as many scholarships as you wish. The more options you have, the better.
You might notice that no scholarships check every box on your list. However, it is not a reason to get concerned. It is like trying to find a perfect partner. At some point, you realize that no one is perfect. You just have to accept the little imperfections. Here are some approaches to finding a real treasure in the sea of multiple opportunities.
Online options
The fastest way to get an overview of available scholarships is to go online and start searching.
General search is the first step. Start with a general search. If you have no limitations regarding location, you have many options to consider. To make the right choice, rely on your true desires. Create a list of all the programs that can help you become the professional you want to be. You can reduce that list by eliminating those that do not fully meet your expectations.
Music organizations. Visit the websites of popular music associations and organizations that provide students with music scholarships. For instance, the American Music Association, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, American Association of Independent Music, etc. Visit their sites not only to check the availability of internships but to stay in the loop of what is happening in the world of music.
Read reviews. While surfing through multiple websites, take a minute to do a quick research. Reviews can bring you many insights. Visit forums and online platforms that collect comments from those who have applied for various scholarships. Find out all the advantages and disadvantages of every program.
Offline options
Financial aid office. Your school must have an office of financial assistance. Turn there to get a list of music scholarships and learn about the requirements for applicants. You will save time and get all the necessary information in one place.
Ask peers for a piece of advice. If music is your passion, you must have friends who share this passion with you. Perhaps, some of them had already applied to different scholarships or had done it when they were your age. Ask them to give you some tips relying on their personal experience. It is better than going through dozens of comments from people on the internet, desperately trying to find the answer to your questions.
Tips on how to prepare for the interview
Finally, here are some practical tips on getting prepared for the in-person interview:
- Look for some common questions on the internet and answer them. There might be similar ones during your interview.
- Pay attention to your body language. Record yourself answering the questions from the previous point and see if there is something that you need to change.
- Make sure you know what to say when asked where you see yourself in five years or what made you choose the instrument you play.
- Remember that you must not look like it is your only opportunity to develop professionally. Speak with confidence and make a note that music is not the only area you are good at.
- Come on time or even 10-15 minutes before the start of the interview.
