Music Scholarship

Eligibility

High school seniors who meet the criteria for admission to Kenyon College are welcome to submit applications for this competition. Those wanting to be considered for music scholarships must submit their application by December 15. Students are not required to major in music but will be expected to take private lessons on their major instrument and participate in department ensembles each semester. Normal department policies regarding lesson fees and fee waivers for music majors apply. Each scholarship ranges up to $12,000 per year and is renewable for four years as long as the student maintains an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and meets the requirements for lessons and ensembles. Subsequent auditions will not be necessary to renew the scholarship. All first-year applicants are eligible, including Early Decision applicants. Transfer students are not eligible. Winners of music scholarships will be announced in April.

Repertoire

Applicants will be allowed to submit recordings of two pieces for Round 1 of their audition. We strongly encourage students to choose two contrasting selections. Accompaniment from a piano or other instrument(s) is suggested but not required. Vocalists will be allowed to audition music from classical, musical theater, or popular genres. Instrumental jazz musicians should include recordings that include the original melody of the song as well as two to three choruses of improvisation. Jazz rhythm section players should demonstrate comping (piano, guitar) or basic groove (bass, drum) for two different styles. Students are encouraged to select works that demonstrate their highest level of technical skill and overall musicianship.

If you need any repertoire suggestions, please feel free to call Donna Maloney in the Department of Music. She will connect you with the professor in your area of musical talent. Her phone number is 740-427-5197. Her e-mail: maloneyd@kenyon.edu

Those students reaching the on-campus competition in Round 2 will be performing two selections. The first piece should be chosen from one of the works selected in Round 1. The second selection should be a different piece--one that was not submitted in Round 1.

Dates to Remember

Round 1: December 15, 2012 (submission of audition material, via upload).

Notification of finalists: Late January 2013.

Round 2: February 17-18 2013 (on-campus)

Notification of scholarship winners: April 2013.

Round 1 Procedure

To be considered for the scholarship, students must complete both a music scholarship application and the Common Application. (After you submit your Common Application, within days you will receive login information for your Kenyon E-admissions account to upload your audition material.)

Students auditioning on more than one instrument/voice should submit one portfolio upload for each instrument/voice.

Round 2 Procedure:

Students will receive notification in late January of their status. Students will need to notify Kenyon College within three days of their decision to come to campus for Round 2.

Students will be asked to audition for 15 minutes on the campus of Kenyon College. Applicants will be judged by faculty of the Music Department. This competition will not be open to the public.

Kenyon College will provide airfare for students who must fly to campus for Round 2. We will provide an accompanist. Students who wish to bring their own accompanist may do so, but Kenyon College will not be able to provide transportation for accompanists.

Each year, judges will select up to three winners as well as alternates. In the event that a student does not accept the scholarship, one of the alternates will be selected. All judges' decisions are final.

Scholarship announcements will be made in April 2013.