Scholarships

Whether you're majoring in music or not, you can apply for a wide range of scholarships and financial support at Calvin.

Whether you're a music major or just want to develop your musical knowledge and skills through private lessons, ensembles, and music courses, we encourage you to apply for the Music Scholarship Program.

Calvin's robust music scholarship program is tailored to meet you at each stage of your academic career. Many named and endowed scholarships are designated for current students in their second through fourth years of study. The music department also offers a limited number of scholarships for new students who demonstrate outstanding musical preparation and who wish to continue making music at Calvin.

All music scholarship applications and recorded auditions are carefully reviewed by full-time members of the music faculty. Awards are based on talent and ability to contribute to enriching the musical life of the Calvin community. Scholarships range from $600–$2,000 for one academic year (divided over two semesters) with some endowed name scholarships of greater value.

Scholarships & Requirements

• Application

  Application Requirements

  Note: all application materials are due by January 31, 2023. Check back later for information on future application deadlines.

  Please note: The music application is part of the general application.

  Application materials include:

  1. Online application at https://calvin.academicworks.com/.
  2. Audition recording - Recordings should be submitted as a YouTube link in https://calvin.academicworks.com/.

  
  

  Although many institutions hold live auditions, Calvin University requires a recorded audition so that every applicant, from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad, will receive equal consideration. We do encourage every prospective music student to visit Calvin University, sit in on classes, and perhaps take a sample lesson with one of our instructors.

  Scholarships for first-year students are available for:

  • Voice
  • Piano
  • Instrumental (Woodwinds, Brass, Strings)
  • Guitar
  • Organ
  • Percussion
  • Composition

  
  

  Some scholarships require students to take private lessons in the area of the award and most require participation in an appropriate faculty-directed ensemble for the duration of the scholarship.

  Application Process

  Deadline: January 31, 2023

  1. Complete your application for admission to Calvin University (calvin.edu/apply).
  2. Complete the music scholarship application online form at calvin.academicworks.com. Provide a link to your audition recording on YouTube.
  3. If you are thinking about majoring in music, consider attending a Calvin admissions advent. Register to attend or contact the admissions office at www.calvin.edu/admissions/visit or 1-800-688-0122.

  
  

  Notification of the results for scholarship awards will be mailed to the applicants by mid-March 2023.

• Auditions

  All Areas

  All auditions should be submitted as part of Calvin's online scholarship application available December 1.

  All performance auditions should be video-recorded live and uploaded to YouTube. Submissions of original compositions can be live video recordings or audio recordings, and should also be uploaded to YouTube. The scholarship application will ask you to provide links to your YouTube recordings. (Here you can find Information on uploading videos to YouTube.)

  Vocal

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire —Two songs of contrasting styles that best demonstrate musicality, tone, tempo, and technique. Contest, competition, or other solo performance pieces are appropriate. Examples of appropriate selections include:

  • An art song, opera aria or oratorio in English or a foreign language. (e.g., Schubert’s “Die schöne Müllerin,” Vivaldi’s “Un certo non so che,” Barber’s “Sure on this Shining Night”)
  • A selection from music theater repertoire. (e.g., “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Misérables, “Defying Gravity” from Wicked)
  • A vocal selection of your choice; this could be an arrangement of a hymn, gospel song, popular song, or jazz standard. (e.g., “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Blue Skies”)

  
  

  Piano

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire — choose two (2) contrasting selections from the following:

  • a baroque work, such as a Sinfonia or Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach
  • a fast movement from a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
  • a Romantic work (Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, etc.)
  • an Impressionistic or 20th/21st Century work

  
  

  Instrumental (Woodwinds, Brass, Strings)

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire — choose two (2) contrasting selections from the following list. The selections should best demonstrate musicality, tone, tempo, and technique.

  • a movement from a sonata, concerto or comparable composition
  • a solo piece that is appropriate for high school solo & ensemble festival (contest)
  • a standard solo etude

  
  

  Guitar

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire — choose two (2) compositions representing contrasting styles. One piece should be originally written for the guitar and the other could be a transcription. One of the two may be in a jazz or popular style.

  Organ

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire — choose two (2) contrasting selections:

  • one composition by J.S. Bach (such as a Chorale Prelude or a Prelude and/or Fugue)
  • one contrasting composition from any style period (if the Bach work is meditative, this choice should be vigorous and vice versa)

  
  

  Percussion

  Length — no more than 10 minutes total
  Repertoire — choose two (2) excerpts, etudes or solo works in contrasting styles on any of the following instruments: snare drum (rudimental or concert); timpani; and marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone. Excerpts may be performed on the same instrument, but demonstrating abilities on two instruments is encouraged.

  Composition

  The following materials will be requested in the online application:

  1. Recordings of two of your compositions, ideally in contrasting styles, uploaded to YouTube. (These can be live video recordings or audio recordings.)
  2. Scores, lead sheets, and/or lyrics for both recorded compositions you have submitted (in PDF format)
  3. A one-page written narrative that tells us about a little bit about yourself and your music (in PDF format). It should include:
     • A description of your experience with composition thus far (e.g., have you taken lessons? How long? How much work have you done as a composer?)
     • A short program note explaining the central idea and/or history behind each of the two pieces you have submitted.

How to apply for scholarships

The application forms for named scholarships are available every year beginning December 1 and must be submitted by January 31. All of the scholarships for new and current students are available online. All students who will be enrolled next academic year are encouraged to apply.

1. NAME
   AMOUNT
   CLASS
   GPA
2. Baker, Kenneth E. and Jean Mathematics and Music Scholarship
   $1,500
   SO/JR/SR
   2.50
3. Broekhuizen, Janice Music Scholarship
   $3,400
   JR/SR
   3.10
4. Broersma, Jean C. Scholarship
   $3,900
   SO/JR/SR
   2.50
5. Bruggink, Arlene and Ray Music Scholarship
   $3,500
   SO
   2.50
6. Bruinsma, Henry Family Scholarship
   $1,800
   JR/SR
   2.50
7. Cayvan, Llewellyn L. String Instrument Scholarship
   $2,400
   FR/SO/JR/SR
   2.50
8. Covenant Renewal Scholarship for Worship Leaders
   $2,500
   FR/SO/JR/SR
   2.80
9. DeJonge, James J. and Helen A. Voice Scholarship
   $3,500
   JR/SR
   3.00
10. Dekker, Andrea Meeter Memorial Scholarship
    $2,500
    FR
    2.50
11. DeVries Church Music Award
    $1,100
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
12. Dragt, Alexander and Lavonne Family Scholarship
    $4,900
    FR
    3.50
13. Feringa, Harold and Louise Music Scholarship
    $7,500
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
14. Friends of Music Scholarship
    varies
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
15. Galema, Joseph Music Scholarship
    $2,650
    SO/JR/SR
    2.50
16. Geerdes, Harold and Gladys String Scholarship
    $2,000
    SO/JR/SR
    2.50
17. Gezon, Helene Hekman Voice Scholarship
    $2,150
    JR/SR
    2.50
18. Goguen, Allene Huizenga Music Scholarship
    $5,150
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
19. Haan, Trena Voice Scholarship
    $2,200
    SO/JR/SR
    2.50
20. Hamersma, John E. and June B. Organ Scholarship
    $1,600
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
21. Hofman, Leonard J. and H. Elaine Music Scholarship
    $2,100
    SO/JR/SR
    3.00
22. Houskamp, Marge Organ Scholarship
    $2,400
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    3.20
23. Kuipers Family Wind Ensemble Scholarship
    $2,200
    JR
    2.50
24. Molenhouse, Hets Music Scholarship
    $3,200
    SO/JR/SR
    3.00
25. Nobel, Tom and Marcia Music Scholarship
    $6,700
    FR
    3.00
26. Noordeloos, Norman and Anne Keyboard Award
    $3,400
    JR/SR
    2.50
27. Oratorio Society Applied Music Scholarship
    $1,000
    FR
    2.50
28. Pheifer, Bea and Terry Music Scholarship
    $3,500
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
29. Potts, Norine E. Scholarship
    $2,800
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
30. Rainbow Foundation Wind Scholarship
    $1,650
    JR/SR
    3.00
31. Reimer, Roy A. Memorial Scholarship
    $2,300
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
32. Rupke, Loren and Dian Music Scholarship
    $3,400
    JR/ SR
    3.00
33. Slenk, Howard J. Music Scholarship
    $6,900
    SO/JR/SR
    2.50
34. Swets, Seymour Voice Scholarship
    $3,800
    JR/SR
    2.50
35. Swierenga, John R. and Marie A. Brass Scholarship
    $2,450
    SO/JR/SR
    3.00
36. VanDellen, John and Doris Music Scholarship
    $3,100
    JR/SR
    2.50
37. VandenBosch, James and Maria Hiskes Fine Arts Scholarship
    $3,400
    JR/SR
    2.50
38. VandenBosch, Linda Schoon Music Scholarship
    $5,000
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
39. VanderBeek/Palma Piano Scholarship
    $6,100
    SO/JR/SR
    2.50
40. VanderGriend Voice Scholarship
    $3,100
    FR
    2.50
41. VanderHaagen Family Scholarship for Church Musicians
    $3,300
    JR/SR
    2.70
42. VanderHeide Voice Scholarship
    $2,800
    FR
    2.50
43. VanderZee, Judith Vroon Music Scholarship
    $6,000
    JR/SR
    3.00
44. Vrieland Family Business and Music Scholarship
    $3,400
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    3.00
45. Walhout, Clarence P. and Janice H. Scholarship
    $3,200
    JR/SR
    3.20
46. Warners, Lloyd and Arlene Family Keyboard Scholarship
    $2,600
    FR
    2.50
47. Wasmer, Edward and Nancy Family Scholarship
    $4,000
    JR/SR
    3.50
48. Wiebenga, Martin P. and Florence DeGraaff Scholarship
    $2,000
    SO/JR/SR
    3.00
49. Witte, Gayla R. Oratorio Scholarship
    $3,600
    SO/JR/SR
    3.00
50. Worst, John W. Music Scholarship
    $2,208
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
51. Wyngaarden, Johanna Kempers Music Scholarship
    $5,100
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
52. Zandee, John and Betty Organ Music Scholarship
    $2,500
    SO/JR/SR
    2.70
53. Zylstra, Carol Lee Memorial Church Music Scholarship
    $5,400
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50
54. Zylstra, Gerald and Adriana Piano Scholarship
    $7,700
    FR/SO/JR/SR
    2.50