Scholarships and Grants: Special Needs
The R.L. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson, and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship
One scholarship of $3,500 given to a female undergraduate student studying music. In addition to the general requirements, applicants must submit with their supporting documents a music performance in a digital audio format such as MP3, WAV, or OGG. Performances can be submitted with an applicant’s physical documents on physical media such as an SD card, USB Flash drive, or audio CD or submitted directly in a digital format to the email address info@afb.net. If submitted through email, please use the subject “AFB Scholarship Musical Performance Submission.”
National Federation of Music Clubs Awards
The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) offers more than $750,000 in competition and award prizes on the local, state and national level. The Biennial Young Artist and Ellis Duo-Pianists competitions award a total of $92,000 in awards and two years of performance bookings. Additional competitions are sponsored by the Federation in a wide range of categories, including voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, conducting, handicapped and visually impaired, and music therapy. NFMC also sponsors more than 38 annual and biennial awards for students desiring to attend the 20 sponsored Summer Music Centers.
Sigma Alpha Iota 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. Scholarships will be applied directly to recipient’s tuition for program/school.
VSA International Young Soloists Award Program
Each year outstanding young musicians with disabilities from around the world receive the VSA International Young Soloists Award, $2,000, and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., which is live-streamed and archived on the Kennedy Center website. This program is open to soloists and ensembles of any instrument or genre including classical, jazz, hip-hop, rock, and more!
Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award
The annual competition is to provide financial assistance and is open to any junior instrumentalist or vocalist who is mentally or physically challenged. Awards: $700-$2000. Applicant must have reached 12th birthday, but not 19th by March 1 of the audition year. Application must be received by March 1 of the year of application.
