Music Music Scholarships

Prospective Students

Students are encouraged to fill out the linked application found on this page and submit recorded auditions as described below as soon as possible. You may also request an on-campus personal audition using the online application. Applications are being accepted now and early application is highly encouraged. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis as long as funds are available prior to the start of school in the fall. Qualified students who apply after funds are exhausted will be placed on a waiting list for support. First round of award letters are sent out on March 1st. 

The Westmont Music Department is pleased to award scholarships to a number of incoming students who demonstrate particularly outstanding aptitude and interest in music. These scholarships are renewable and may increase slightly in amount from year to year, particularly for music majors and minors, as students exhibit continuing scholarship and growth in music. Although major or minor status is not required for scholarship eligibility, the music department does strive to support in particular those students who intend to complete a music degree.

Music scholarships are substantial awards. The total amount you receive will be applied directly to your school bill and be split between the fall and spring semesters. If you receive a scholarship you will be required to be a part of one of our music ensembles as assigned by the music faculty and to take private lessons in your primary area.

Scholarship applications are accepted on a continuing basis. Completed applications received prior to March 1 receive priority consideration and assure notification of award status prior to May 1.

Applications completed after March 1 will be considered in the order received with awards based on any remaining funding. Students do not need to wait to be accepted at Westmont College to apply for the music scholarships and may audition at any point in the Westmont admissions process. Arrangements can be made through the Music Department Administrative Assistant Mandy Kellogg. A recording that demonstrates your performance ability is also acceptable.

Apply Now for a Music Scholarship

 

How do I apply for a music scholarship?

Please fill out the application form online, then either submit an appropriate recording or schedule an in-person audition, and arrange for a letter of recommendation from your music instructor to be sent to the following address as soon as possible:

Westmont College - Music Scholarships
955 La Paz Road Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1099

How do I schedule an in-person audition?

To schedule an in-person audition, include your campus visit dates in the custom audition section of the application form. We will work with you to set up an audition time with the correct faculty for your instrument as well as a piano accompanist should you require one.


How do I submit an audition electronically?

Applicants may submit a recorded audition on mp3 files, a CD or DVD or online via YouTube. Following the audition requirements below, submit 2 to 4 selections. Please carefully follow the instructions below:

1) CD or DVD - In your mailing please include, your full name, your vocal part or instrument played, the titles and composers of the pieces featured in your audition, your mailing address, phone number, and email address. Mail your CD or DVD to the following address:

Westmont College - Music Scholarships

955 La Paz Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1099


2) MP3 Files - Upload mp3 files as a part of your online scholarship application form. Please be certain your music files are mp3 files not "mov" or "avi" files. If you send multiple songs, have them featured on separate, titled files or tracks.


3) Posting to YouTube - If you have an online audition video you wish to use, please post it to a YouTube account in 10-minute segments. If you do not have a YouTube account you may create one here. Once uploaded, include the link to your video URL in your online scholarship application form. The title of the YouTube video should read - "Westmont Music Audition - (your name)" In the notes, please include your full name, your vocal part or instrument played, and the titles and composers of the pieces featured in your audition.

How are music scholarships renewed?

Awards are automatically renewed for the number of semesters indicated on the award letter as long as recipients continue to meet the scholarship requirements stated on the award letter. Awards may be used during one semester of Westmont off-campus study. Awards will be cancelled when:
a. Students leave school for a semester or more
b. Students notify the faculty of their intent to discontinue their award
c. Students fail to fulfill the stated requirements in any given semester (the requirements are typically successfully completing private instruction on the instrument or voice of the scholarship and successfully participating for credit in the assigned ensemble)
d. When non-compliance with scholarship requirements is noted (i.e. student does not audition for ensemble placement as required, student does not complete enrollment for coming semester’s required lessons and ensemble by the end of current semester).
e. Students are not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards associated with all forms of financial assistance

Students who notify the department of their intent to cancel a scholarship or leave Westmont for a semester or more and are in good standing in terms of music scholarship qualification at the time of the cancellation of their award may, upon review by the faculty, have awards reinstated if funds are available upon their return to study.

Current Students

Current students should submit the scholarship application found in the Current Student Resources Page not the one found here for entering students.

Visit the Current Student Resources Page for More Information

Audition Requirements

All auditions, whether recorded or live, will require the following items:

VOCAL

  • Two songs of contrasting style. The inclusion of classical art song repertoire, and/or opera and oratorio arias, and a representation of a foreign language is required. All recorded performances should be recorded acoustically, without the aid of amplification, microphone or sound system other than for recording purposes.
  • A list of current repertoire. (A listing of all solo music that you have studied in the past year or feel capable of performing on short notice).

WIND INSTRUMENT

  • Two pieces of contrasting styles; a movement from a classical sonata or concerto is required; orchestral excerpts are also appropriate.
  • A list of current repertoire. (A listing of all solo music that you have studied in the past year or feel capable of performing on short notice).

PIANO

  • Two pieces of contrasting styles; a movement from a classical sonata or concerto is required.
  • A list of current repertoire. (A listing of all solo music that you have studied in the past year or feel capable of performing on short notice).

ORGAN

  • Two pieces of contrasting styles; a composition by J. S. Bach is required.
  • A list of current repertoire. (A listing of all solo music that you have studied in the past year or feel capable of performing on short notice).

STRINGS

  • Two contrasting pieces or movements; a movement from a concerto is encouraged.

GUITAR

  • Two pieces of contrasting styles including one piece from classical repertoire that demonstrates music-reading skills
  • A list of current repertoire. (A listing of all solo music that you have studied in the past year or feel capable of performing on short notice).

PERCUSSION

  • Prepare an audition that demonstrates your skills, including music reading, that may include a snare drum piece, a mallet piece using two to four mallets, and a selection for timpani involving two to four drums. A demonstration of skills in all three areas is desired, but auditions with only one or two of these areas will be considered.
  • A drum set performance may be included if the student wishes to contribute to the Jazz Ensemble. Note: There are numerous opportunities for percussionists at Westmont to participate in worship bands, but these are not a part of the Music Department curriculum and do not fulfill the ensemble requirement for holding a music scholarship.

COMPOSITION

Some combination of one or more of the following:

  • 2-3 notated scores
  • 2-3 recordings of live performances
  • MIDI or audio recordings of 2-3 representative pieces

Composers who have strength in a performance area (voice or instrument) are encouraged to submit a sample of their abilities in that area as well