Scholarships

Music Service Award (MSA)

The Music Service Award provides $1500 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters ($3000 per academic year; $12,000 total). It may only be applied to spring and fall semesters (no summer or winter terms) and cannot be stacked with a university Academic Performance Scholarship at any level (Presidential, Provost, Dean, or Faculty) – OR – an Athletic Bands Service Award. Additionally, it may not be stacked with other major ETSU scholarships as outlined in the Scholarship Office Policies (click on “Other Policies”).

Eligibility requirements:

Students in any major may apply (not specific to music majors or minors)
Tennessee resident or an approved border county resident (designated counties in North Carolina and Virginia)
New freshmen or transfer student (have not previously been enrolled at ETSU)
High school GPA of 2.50 minimum OR college transfer GPA of 3.00 minimum
ACT minimum score of 18 - OR - SAT minimum score of 980

Maintenance requirements:

Maintain a 2.5 term GPA
Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA
Enroll in and PASS a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester (may be waived with approval of the Department of Music Chair)
Enroll in eight CONTINUOUS semesters. If a student leaves the university at any time during the eight semesters of funding, the scholarship will be canceled and cannot be renewed if a student returns in the future.
Enroll in Applied Music lessons each semester (may be waived with approval of the Department of Music Chair)
Enroll in a music ensemble course as assigned by Department of Music faculty (may be waived with approval of the Department of Music Chair)
Complete 50 hours of service as assigned by the Department of Music each semester

Cancelation and Probation:

If a student fails to meet any of the maintenance requirements during a semester, the Music Performance Scholarship will be automatically canceled unless the student appeals to the Department of Music Chair either in writing (email is acceptable) or in person.
If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on probation for a maximum of one semester without change to funding. If the deficit is not met after one semester of probation, the scholarship will be canceled with no possibility of continued probation or appeal.
Once the scholarship has been canceled, it can never be renewed.

Audition requirements:

Follow the audition requirements for your designation (music major, music minor, or non-music major/minor) as outlined in the Department of Music Audition Guidelines.

Questions about the Music Service Award? Contact the Department of Music at music@etsu.edu

Athletic Bands Service Award (ABSA)

The Athletic Bands Service Award provides $1500 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters ($3000 per academic year; $12,000 total). It may only be applied to spring and fall semesters (no summer or winter terms) and cannot be stacked with a university Academic Performance Scholarship at any level (Presidential, Provost, Dean, or Faculty) – OR – an Athletic Bands Service Award. Additionally, it may not be stacked with other major ETSU scholarships as outlined in the Scholarship Office Policies (click on “Other Policies”).

Eligibility requirements:

Students in any major may apply (not specific to music majors or minors)
Tennessee resident or an approved border county resident (designated counties in North Carolina and Virginia)
New freshmen or transfer student (have not previously been enrolled at ETSU)
High school GPA of 2.50 minimum OR college transfer GPA of 3.00 minimum
ACT minimum score of 18 - OR - SAT minimum score of 980

Maintenance requirements:

Maintain a 2.5 term GPA
Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA
Enroll in and PASS a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester (may be waived with approval of the Department of Music Chair)
Enroll in eight CONTINUOUS semesters. If a student leaves the university at any time during the eight semesters of funding, the scholarship will be canceled and cannot be renewed if a student returns in the future.
Enroll in a music ensemble course as assigned by Department of Music faculty (may be waived with approval of the Director of Athletic Bands)
Complete 50 hours of service as assigned by the Director of Athletic Bands each semester

Cancelation and Probation:

If a student fails to meet any of the maintenance requirements during a semester, the Music Performance Scholarship will be automatically canceled unless the student appeals to the Director of Athletic Bands either in writing (email is acceptable) or in person.
If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on probation for a maximum of one semester without change to funding. If the deficit is not met after one semester of probation, the scholarship will be canceled with no possibility of continued probation or appeal.
Once the scholarship has been canceled, it can never be renewed.

Audition requirements:

Follow the audition requirements for the Marching Bucs as outlined on the Athletic Bands Information Page.

Questions about the Athletic Bands Service Award? Contact the Athletic Bands Executive Aide, Patti Marlow at marlow@etsu.edu

Creative Arts Scholarship (CAS)

The Creative Arts in Music Scholarship is a special opportunity for non-Tennessee students with interests in the arts and arts related fields. ETSU is committed to providing excellent training and experiences for students in the arts and for students with interest in continued opportunities to pursue creative endeavors. The scholarship provides students with the complete cost of out-of-state tuition, so recipients pay the same rate as Tennessee residents. Students who are participating in another program which covers out-of-state tuition (including but not limited to Academic Common Market, border waiver, Honors-in-Discipline) are not eligible. Students must be new to ETSU to qualify for the scholarship; already enrolled students are not qualified. Both undergraduate and graduate students may apply for the scholarship unless otherwise noted.

To audition, follow the audition requirements for your designation (music major, music minor, or non-music major/minor) as outlined in the Department of Music Audition Guidelines. You will be automatically considered for the CAS when you audition if you meet the criteria. Be sure to discuss your interest in the Creative Arts Scholarship with the faculty during your audition.

Complete information about the Creative Arts in Music Scholarship.

Questions about the Creative Arts Scholarship? Contact the Department of Music at music@etsu.edu

Marsha L. Posic Music Scholarship

The Marsha L. Posic Music Scholarship is funded externally. It is a $1000 scholarship available to first year students with demonstrated financial need, majoring full time in music (in any area). Students must have a 2.0 minimum GPA to apply.

For more information, go to the Marsha L. Posic Scholarship Application and follow the instructions.

Endowed Scholarships for Instrumental Performance and Education Majors - Winds, Strings, Percussion (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)

Endowed Scholarships are funded by private donations to the ETSU Department of Music. The scholarships available to instrumental performance and education majors vary in amount. The majority are available to current ETSU Department of Music Students, typically juniors and seniors. Select scholarships are available to students new to the Department of Music (freshmen or transfers). An endowed scholarship is not automatically renewed from one year to the next. You must re-audition each year for these scholarships. The requirements for the scholarships vary. Contact the professor of your instrument for complete information. If you are a new student (incoming freshman or transfer) you will automatically be considered for all available endowed scholarships at your audition.

The following Endowed Scholarships are available to Instrumental Performance and Education Majors in Winds, Strings, and Percussion:

Richard Comption Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of this fund is to honor the memory of Dr. Benjamin Richard Comption III and to provide scholarships to music majors playing woodwind and/or string instruments.

ETSU Strings Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the ETSU Strings Endowed Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate music degree in instrumental performance and/or music education playing string instruments.

Elsie Artz Endowed Scholarship
To provide annual scholarships for academically talented music majors playing piano and/or strings.

Ella Virginia Ross Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Ella Virginia Ross Endowment is to generate scholarships for instrumental junior or senior music majors (playing any instrument).

Walter & Elizabeth Marshall Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Walter and Elizabeth Marshall Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students majoring in music (in all areas).

Kenton Coe Composition Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Kenton Coe Music Composition Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship to students with serious interest and demonstrated skill in Music Composition (in all areas).

Paul L. Arrington Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of this fund is to perpetuate the life and legacy of Paul L. Arrington by providing scholarship to deserving students from Sullivan County, TN, majoring in instrumental music education.

Nicholas L. Tate Music Education Endowed Scholarship
The purpose is to honor the memory of Nicholas Loran Tate, his gifts and talents in music, and his dedication to teaching by providing scholarship to deserving students pursuing a degree in instrumental music education (playing any instrument).

Walter Garland Patton Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Walter Garland Patton Memorial Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship to deserving students intending to become a minister of music (in all areas).

Maria Niederberger String Quartet Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Maria Niederberger String Quartet Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship to deserving string students participating in a supervised string quartet or small chamber ensemble composed of and/or including classical strings. Performance or music education majors will be given preference.

Massengale Horn Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Massengale Scholarship Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship to deserving students playing horn in the Department of Music. Preference will be given to students majoring in performance and music education.

Endowed Scholarships for Piano Performance Majors

Endowed Scholarships are funded by private donations to the ETSU Department of Music. The scholarships available to piano performance majors vary in amount. The majority are available to current ETSU Department of Music Students, typically juniors and seniors. Select scholarships are available to students new to the Department of Music (freshmen or transfers). An endowed scholarship is not automatically renewed from one year to the next. You must re-audition each year for these scholarships. The requirements for the scholarships vary.

For more information and to schedule an audition, contact Dr. Esther Park at parkej@etsu.edu

The following Endowed Scholarships are available to PIano Performance Majors:

Elsie Artz Endowed Scholarship
To provide annual scholarships for academically talented music majors playing piano and/or strings.

Marie H. Hunter Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Marie Hutchinson Hunter Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship to students pursuing piano performance.

Chih-Long Hu Endowed Scholarship
The Chih-Long Hu Endowed Scholarship is an endowment given by Jim and Sandy Powell in recognition of Dr. Chih-Long Hu's successful career as a pianist and professor. Dr. Hu taught at ETSU from 2006-2015. The scholarship is for deserving students majoring in piano performance or music education.

Endowed Scholarships for Instrumental Jazz (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)

Endowed Scholarships are funded by private donations to the ETSU Department of Music. Scholarships are available to all students participating in the instrumental jazz program and vary in amount based on talent. An endowed scholarship is not automatically renewed from one year to the next. You must re-audition each year for these scholarships. Auditions for jazz scholarships require specific repertoire.

Download the audition repertoire from the Endowed Jazz Scholarships page.

To audition for an Endowed Scholarship for Instrumental Jazz, contact Mr. Martin Walters at waltermb@etsu.edu

The following Endowed Scholarships are available to students in Jazz:

Topalian Jazz Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Topalian Jazz Endowed Scholarhip, initiated by Wayne G. Basler, is to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students performing in the ETSU Jazz Ensemble. Preference will be given to Jazz Studies majors.

Endowed Scholarships for Vocalists (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)

Endowed Scholarships are funded by private donations to the ETSU Department of Music. Vocal scholarships are available for both music majors and non-music majors who participate in choral ensembles. The scholarships vary in amount based on talent. An endowed scholarship is not automatically renewed from one year to the next. You must re-audition each year for these scholarships. To audition for an endowed scholarship for vocal music, follow the audition instructions outlined on the Vocal Audition Page. If you have questions, contact Dr. Alan Stevens stevensae2@etsu.edu You will be automatically considered for all endowed vocal scholarships when you audition.

The following Endowed Scholarships are available to students majoring in vocal performance, vocal music education, and those participating in choral ensembles (from all majors):

Powell Choral Scholars Endowment
The purpose of this endowmen is to provide scholarship for students enrolled in choral ensembles. The fund was established by Jim and Sandy Powell to enhance the quality of the choral music ensembles through attraction and retention of the highest caliber choral student musicians. The scholarship is open to students of all majors.

Dr. Thomas Jenrette Choral Alumni Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Thomas Jenrette Choral Alumni Endowed Scholarship was funded by generous gifts from alumni of the ETSU Chorale during the tenure of Dr. Jenrette. Dr. Jenrette was the Director of Choral Activities in the ETSU Department of Music from 1979 - 20212. The fund provides scholarship to a deserving student(s) in the choral ensembles (open to students of all majors).

Teresa Bowers Endowed Scholarship
The Teresa Bowers Endowed Scholarship provides scholarship for a deserving student(s) majoring in vocal performance or vocal music education. The fund was established to honor Teresa Bowers, an ETSU graduate selected as the first Outstanding Alumna of the Arts.

Robert LaPella Endowed Scholarship
The Robert LaPella Endowed Scholarship provides scholarship to an oustanding student(s) majoring in vocal performance. The scholarship was funded by alumni to honor the memory of Robert LaPella, Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Studies and Opera in the ETSU Department of Music from 1962 - 1997.

Mary Florence & Virgil Self Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of the Virgil C. Self Endowed Scholarship is to provide scholarship for deserving music majors in piano and/or voice.

For more information on available scholarships, visit the ETSU Scholarship Office website.

Scholarships

We offer the following categories of scholarships

Music Service Award (MSA)

Eligibility requirements:

Maintenance requirements:

Cancelation and Probation:

Audition requirements:

Athletic Bands Service Award (ABSA)

Eligibility requirements:

Maintenance requirements:

Cancelation and Probation:

Audition requirements:

Creative Arts Scholarship (CAS)

Marsha L. Posic Music Scholarship

Endowed Scholarships for Instrumental Performance and Education Majors - Winds, Strings, Percussion (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)

Endowed Scholarships for Piano Performance Majors

Endowed Scholarships for Instrumental Jazz (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)

Endowed Scholarships for Vocalists (Music Majors and Non-Music Majors)