Musical America Blogs

The American Foundation for the Blind Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
The Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship will be a legally blind female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music. The amount for the annual award is $1,000. The applicant must provide original transcripts, two letters of recommendation, proof of legal blindness, and a music performance on CD.

The American Foundation for the Blind Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship
The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship provides one scholarship of $500 to a fulltime graduate student. The applicant must provide original transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and proof of legal blindness.

The American Foundation for the Blind R.L. Gillette Scholarship
The R.L. Gillette Scholarship applicant will be a legally blind woman enrolled in a four-year college or university in a literature or music program. The amount for the annual award is $1,000 and two awards are made each year. The applicant must provide original transcripts, two letters of recommendation, proof of legal blindness, and a music performance on CD.

The American Foundation for the Blind Ferdinand Torres Scholarship
The Ferdinand Torres Scholarship provides one scholarship of $3,500 to a fulltime undergraduate or graduate student. Strong preference will be given to new immigrants to the United States, and to those residing in the New York City metropolitan area. To be eligible the applicant must reside in the United States, but need not be a citizen of the United States. The applicant must provide original transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and proof of legal blindness.

The W. Paul Benzinger/Valentin Music for the Blind Performance Award
The W. Paul Benzinger/Valentin Music for the Blind Performance Award is given by the NFMC to talented young musicians who  have not reached the 14th birthday as of March 1 of the audition year; must be native citizens of the United States or must have received naturalization papers (applicant or applicant’s parents); must be a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs through Junior Club affiliation or as an Individual Junior Member; must provide an affidavit from an ophthalmologist stating the entrant is legally blind with 20/200 or less vision after correction. One $175 Awards in each of the five NFMC Regions.

Music Academy of the West Summer School and Festival
The Music Academy of the West offers a Summer School and Festival for emerging young classical musicians, primarily of college and graduate school age, who are seeking professional music careers. If granted admission to our program, students attend the Music Academy on full scholarship (tuition, room and board expenses are covered) made possible by the generosity of Music Academy supporters.

The Music Academy does not offer scholarships for attendance at other institutions but only covers the tuition, room and board for those enrolled in the summer program at the Music Academy. There is no full-scholarship application process, only the general admissions application process.

The NFMC Music for the Blind Performance Awards
Applicants must have not reached the 10th birthday but not the 19th birthday as of March 1 of the audition year; must be native citizens of the United States or must have received naturalization papers (applicant or applicant’s parents); must be a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs through Junior Club affiliation or as an Individual Junior Member; must provide an affidavit from an ophthalmologist stating the entrant is legally blind with 20/200 or less vision after correction. Two $195 Awards in each of the five NFMC Regions.

The SAI Musicians With Special Needs Scholarship
The Musicians with Special Needs Scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to a member enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in music with a qualifying disability or to someone pursuing studies to become a teacher or therapist in this field. Visit web site for requirements. Visit Sigma Alpha Iota.

VSA Arts International Young Soloist Award
Each year the Very Special Arts organization awards $5,000 to the best young classical soloist each year. Any musician with a disability may apply for the award. Instrumentalists as well as vocalists may apply, as well. For US residents, the scholarship is open to those 25 years and younger. For those applying from outside the US, age 30 is the maximum age to apply.

Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award
The Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award is a scholarship offered through the National Federation of Music Clubs. Applicants must be a member of the federation in order to qualify. Seven awards are presented each year ranging from $500 to $1,500 to music students with special needs.

The applicant must be a citizen of the United States and must have reached 12th birthday, but not the 19th by March 1 of the audition year. The applicant must send a CD of 2 pieces (not to exceed 10 minutes total) to the coordinator.( It must be received by March 1 of the year of application.) The applicant must be a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, either through group membership or individual junior membership and include a letter of recommendation from teacher, tutor, or clergyman and a letter from a medical doctor stating the nature and duration of the mental or physical disability.