Music Scholarships

Incoming musicians are invited to apply for a music scholarship.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University invite incoming musicians to apply for a music scholarship recognizing their musical abilities. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must submit our music scholarship application, a letter of recommendation from a music teacher, and an audition recording.

Scholarship amounts for the 2024-2025 academic year range from $1,000 to $6,000 and are renewable each year. Scholarships are awarded to those students with significant experience and success in music, but are not restricted only to students majoring or minoring in music.

Eligibility

• Music scholarship applicants must exhibit proficiency in vocal, instrumental or piano performance. The demonstration of proficiency will be based on the Music Scholarship application, an audition recording. A recommendation is optional. See guidelines below.
• Music Scholarships are for students who plan a continued involvement in music.
• Most recipients of this award also qualify for additional financial and academic scholarships and grants, in which case the Music Scholarship becomes part of a larger financial aid package. Learn how to apply for need-based aid.

Application Process

• Submit the online Music Scholarship Application.
• Send a recording of your playing to Olivia Sletteland. The entire recording should not exceed six minutes in length. Recording formats can be MP3, MP4, Youtube link, or .mov file. Please see below “Recording Guidelines” section to understand what your recording should include.
• Optional: Have a music teacher or instructor complete the Art, Music and Theater Recommendation Form.

Recording Guidelines

• Guitarists will perform one solo classical guitar selection or excerpt of the selection and one selection of your choice in any style, ensemble or solo.
• Instrumentalists will perform two contrasting selections (similar to state contest repertoire). 
• Organists will perform a representative work from Bach or his contemporaries and a short Romantic or Modern organ work; in lieu of one piece of repertoire, organists may choose to play two hymns or a hymn and another representative piece of liturgical music. 
• Percussionists will perform one snare drum and one mallet piece. 
• Pianists will perform two contrasting selections from the classical piano repertoire from the intermediate to advanced levels.
• Vocalists will perform two contrasting selections. One piece should be from the classical solo vocal repertoire (similar to state contest repertoire). The second piece may also be from the classical repertoire or a work from the musical theater, jazz, or popular traditions..

Deadline

The recommended deadline to apply for a Fine Arts Scholarship is January 15 of your senior year but submissions will be reviewed upon receipt. Submit application materials  electronically through the online application. If you are not able to send your recording via the online application, you may send your materials to the following address:

CSB+SJU Music Dept.
37 S. College Ave.
BAC 116A
St. Joseph, MN 56374

Selection

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on demonstrated music excellence. Applicants may choose to submit an audition recording anytime prior to Jan. 15 of their senior year.