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Scholarships - Freshman

Auditions for the 2010-2011 school year will be on February 12 and 13, 2010. The scholarship application deadline is January 20, 2010.

Eligibility

Scholarships for first-year students are available for piano, organ, voice, winds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba), strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), and percussion. Students who are awarded a music scholarship are required to take private lessons (in the area of the award) and participate in an appropriate faculty-directed ensemble for the duration of their scholarships.

Auditions

Live Audition: Live auditions will be held on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2010 on the campus of Calvin College. Applicants are encouraged to attend a live audition. Please indicate on your application form which day you would prefer.

Recorded Audition: If you are unable to attend a live audition, you may submit a recording. Recordings should be submitted in a CD, cassette, or MP3 format (MP3 format may be submitted via email.) Voice applicants may submit a video or DVD recording. Make the recording using the highest quality equipment available. If you don't own recording equipment, check with a nearby church or school. Do not perform to pre-recorded commercial orchestrations. Label your recording clearly, including your name (as it appears on your application), your instrument, and the composers of your selections. Audition materials will not be returned. All recorded auditions must be received by January 20, 2010.

Audition and Repertoire Requirements

Each audition area (piano, organ, instrumental, and voice) have different requirements for audition repertoire. If you have questions about choosing repertoire, please contact the Music Department.

Application Process

  1. Complete your application for admission to Calvin College by submitting all application materials to the Admissions Office.
  2. Choose your audition repertoire, based on the audition requirements.
  3. Choose to attend a live audition or submit a recording.
  4. Submit the scholarship application form. Application forms and all materials (on-line application, teacher recommendation, music for accompanist and recording, if applicable) must be received by January 20, 2010.
  5. For voice auditions: If you indicate on your application that you would like a Calvin staff accompanist, please submit a copy of your music to the Music Department Office.
  6. If you are unable to attend a live audition, create an audition recording according to the recording guidelines listed above and the audition requirements.
  7. If you choose to combine your live audition with a campus visit, register for Fridays at Calvin through the Admissions Office.
  8. Ask your teacher to write a letter of recommendation using the recommendation form. Please have your teacher submit the form directly to the Music Department.
Deadline:

All application materials (on-line application, teacher recommendation, music for accompanist and recording, if applicable) must be received by January 20, 2010. We will notify you of your audition time shortly after January 20 and after all of your application materials have been received. Notification of the results will be mailed to the applicants by March 1, 2010.

Forms

Music Scholarship Application Form

Letter of Recommendation for a Music Scholarship
To be completed by the applicant's music teacher.


Audition Weekend Schedule:

While you are on campus for your scholarship audition, we invite you to take advantage of some other opportunities to learn more about Calvin!

Friday, February 14
We have designed the music scholarship audition weekend to coincide with Fridays at Calvin, our campus visit program. During Fridays at Calvin you can visit classes, go to chapel, attend an ensemble rehearsal, tour campus, and meet with Calvin faculty. Your parents are also invited to join us to learn more about Calvin. For more information and to register for Fridays at Calvin, please visit the Admissions Office website.

Saturday, February 13
On Saturday morning, you and your parents are invited to join the Music Department for breakfast. Calvin music faculty, staff and current music students will be available to answer your questions over a great Calvin breakfast. Please indicate the number planning to attend on your scholarship application form.

Lodging:

If you plan to attend Fridays at Calvin during the audition weekend, you will be able to stay on-campus with a student host on Thursday and/or Friday night. Please indicate this on your Fridays at Calvin registration form.

Parents should make their own reservations for housing at the Prince Conference Center, located on Calvin's campus. A block of rooms will be held until January 9, 2010. Contact the Prince Conference Center directly and mention the Music Scholarship Auditions to get a discounted rate. You are also welcome to make your own arrangements for lodging at nearby hotels. A list of hotels is available here.