Music Scholarships and Auditions

Scholarships

Each year, we honor talented first-year and transfer students with our Music Scholarships. These four-year scholarships are awarded in voice, piano, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar and composition. Scholarship amounts range in value from $2,000 to $6,000 annually ($8,000 to $24,000 over four years) and are renewable each year. These scholarships are open to all students regardless of major. Please note you may be required to take private lessons and join one of our major music ensembles in the area of your scholarship. Exceptionally talented musicians will also be considered for the Christiansen Scholarship of $28,000 annually ($112,000 over four years). 

Apply Now!

Scholarship Deadlines

For the December 6th & December 13th live audition dates, the application deadline is November 8, 2019.

For the February 16-17 live audition date, the application deadline is January 15, 2020.

Eligibility

To receive a Music Scholarship, you must:

• be an incoming student who has been accepted for admission to Concordia
• exhibit excellence in vocal/instrumental performance and/or composition
• submit a Music Scholarship application, musical resume, and an audition recording

The scholarship is guaranteed through your sophomore year and is renewable for the junior and senior years provided you maintain a 3.0 grade point average and are recommended by faculty. Most recipients of this award also qualify for additional financial and academic scholarships and grants, in which case the Music Scholarship becomes part of a larger financial aid package.

Application Process

Vocal and/or Instrumental Applicants

1. Apply and be accepted to Concordia.
2. Prepare an audio recording. (Your high school music teacher may be able to help, and cell phone recordings will likely be sufficient.) If you are applying in more than one performance area, you only need to submit your online application ONE TIME. However, you will be able to upload a separate recording for each performance area (maximum of three areas).
   • Piano – Two contrasting selections from the standard repertoire
   • Voice or Vocal Music Education – A classical art song, aria, or other Solo & Ensemble appropriate piece with piano accompaniment
     
   • Brass, Woodwinds, Strings or Instrumental Music Education – A solo, etude, or other Solo & Ensemble appropriate piece demonstrating your performance ability
   • Percussion or Instrumental Music Education – 2 solo selections with melodic and non-melodic percussion instruments
3. Complete the Music Scholarship online application.

Composition Applicants

1. Apply and be accepted to Concordia.
2. Complete the Music Scholarship online application.
   • Application must include one to three composition scores and/or recordings, as well as a resume.

Selection

Finalists will be invited for a live interview and audition on the scholarship day of their choosing. If you select on of the Moorhead dates below, you will also have an opportunity to:

• attend band, choir, and orchestra concerts/rehearsals
• observe classes
• visit with faculty
• have the option of an overnight stay with a student host

Finalists will select a live audition date from the list below:

• December 6, 2019 in Moorhead
• December 13, 2019 in the Twin Cities
• February 16-17, 2020 in Moorhead

If you are interested in majoring in music, you may choose to have your Music Scholarship audition also act as an audition for acceptance into one of our professional music degree programs (music education, performance, or composition). The Bachelor of Arts in Music (a general music program often paired with another major) does not require an entrance audition.

Audition Requirements for Music Degrees

Types of Scholarships

Concordia College Music Scholarship

(Details outlined above)

Christiansen Scholarship

A select number of Christiansen Music Scholarships of $28,000 per year are awarded annually (up to $112,000). Because of its significant value, the Christiansen Scholarship replaces all other application and merit aid awarded to the recipient. However, awards and scholarships based on financial need may still be awarded in addition to the Christiansen Scholarship.

Conductor's Choice Music Scholarship

The Conductor's Choice Music Scholarship is for students of any academic major, and recognizes talented students that we wish to include in our music program through required participation in major ensembles and private lessons. Students who receive this scholarship are not required to audition, but are encouraged to do so to increase their award.

• $8,000 (2k per year up to 4 years) guaranteed
• Award may be increased by participation in the Music Scholarship audition process outlined above
• Recipients are automatically qualified as a finalist for a larger Music Scholarship (No recording required!)

You are automatically eligible to receive this scholarship if you have participated in any of the following:

• a high-school All-State/Honors ensemble
• Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir
• Lutheran Summer Music
• Community-based auditioned ensembles, such as:
  • Honors Choirs of SE MN
  • Angelica Cantanti
  • Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies
  • Minnesota Youth Symphonies
  • Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestras
• any similar approved auditioned activity

Faculty's Choice Music Scholarship

Like the Conductor's Choice, the Faculty's Choice Music Scholarship is for students of any academic major, and recognizes talented musicians whose area is outside of a large ensemble (composition, guitar, piano, music technology, etc.). Students who receive this scholarship are not required to audition, but are encouraged to do so to increase their award. This scholarship requires private lessons, but does not require participation in a major ensemble.

• $8,000 (2k per year up to 4 years).
• Award may be increased by participation in the Music Scholarship audition process outlined above
• Recipients are automatically qualified as a finalist for a larger Music Scholarship (No recording required!)

Conductor's/Faculty's Choice Application Process

1. Contact Kristen Kocher at kkocher@cord.edu and present proof of participation in one of the above-listed qualified ensembles, or a similar auditioned community group. Examples of proof include a concert program, letter from your ensemble director, etc. If you have already received a Conductor's/Faculty's Choice Scholarship in the mail, begin your application for the Music Scholarship and upload a photo of the scholarship in lieu of a recording.
2. See the application process for the Music Scholarship detailed above. If you are awarded a Music Scholarship of a higher value, that scholarship will replace the Conductor's Choice or Faculty's Choice Scholarship. Students must apply and be admitted to the college to receive these scholarships.