Amount

Amount Varies, stackable with academic scholarships.

 

Renewal

Renewable each year for up to four years. Music faculty renews scholarships annually if students: maintain full-time enrollment status, make satisfactory degree progress, maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA, participate each semester (including all concerts and tours) in a Department of Music and Theatre performance organization(s) on the instrument/voice for which the scholarship was given and complete the Financial Aid process. Music Performance Scholarship recipients must register for a (weekly) 30-music lesson each semester. (A music lesson fee is billed to the student account each semester). Media and Performing Arts Minor scholarship recipients must be enrolled in the minor and produce monthly social media content.

Eligibility

• Incoming freshmen and transfer students.
• Students of any declared major.
• Must commit to participation in a musical performance group each semester, including all concerts and tours.
• Must have completed the Bethel University application for admission on file with admissions by February 1, 2025.

Additional eligibility criteria for Media & Performing Arts Scholarship:

• Declared Minor in Media and Performing Arts.
• Must work as an on-campus content creator in collaboration with the Department of Communication Studies and Department of Music and Performing Arts.

Academic requirements

• Must be enrolled at least half-time in courses required for graduation, be in good standing, and be working toward their first bachelor's degree. Scholarships will be prorated for less than full-time attendance.
• Half of each award will be credited to the student's account each semester.
• The award will be renewed annually by the music faculty with evidence of continued musical progress on the awarded instrument/voice, based on fall and spring music juries and teacher recommendation.

Deadline

February 1, 2025, for Fall 2025

Scholarship timeline

• June 1, 2024, to February 1, 2025: Scholarship application, recommendations, and recordings accepted. Your completed Bethel University application for admission must be on file in the Office of Admissions.
• February 1, 2025: All application materials (scholarship application, recommendations, and recordings) must be submitted by February 1, 2025.
• February 24, 2025: On-campus in-person music scholarship auditions. All auditions (recorded or in-person) must be completed by this date.
• March 1, 2025: Award offers are mailed to all applicants
• April 12, 2025: Award acceptance deadline.

How to apply

To complete the Music and Media & Performing Arts Scholarship Applications you will be asked to:

• Prepare an audition of two (2) classical pieces of contrasting style in one (or more) of the following formats:
  • Electronic file (mp3 or wav)
  • Link to online video or audio (YouTube, SoundCloud, etc)
  • High-quality CD or high-quality video
  • Schedule an in-person audition. An in-person audition is preferred. The Department of Music will host an in-person music scholarship audition day (date TBD). You are encouraged to come to campus to audition in person on this day.
  • Schedule an in-person or virtual interview with the Communication Studies Department*
• You may audition on more than one instrument. Please provide two (2) classical pieces of contrasting style for each instrument, but submit each instrument on a separate recording or schedule two (2) audition times. All performances should be accompanied, with the exception of piano, guitar, and percussion. (Bethel can provide a staff accompanist for an in-person audition.)
• Provide a short personal essay telling about your interest in pursuing music as a major and career or as an active non-major participant in music.
• Include a list of performed repertoire. Instrumentalists and pianists: please include method studies in your list.
• A recommendation letter from your school music director or private teacher is encouraged but not required for consideration of this scholarship. Have this person complete the online recommendation form, which will be submitted directly to the Department of Music and Performing Arts, by February 1, 2025.

 *The interview with Communication Studies Department is only for those students applying for the Media & Performing Arts Scholarship. 

More information

The application closes on February 1, 2025. If you are interested in applying for the scholarship in the future, please contact the Department of Music and Performing Arts at music@bethel.edu.

Appy now