Annual Scholarship Opportunities
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (WCM) holds annual scholarship auditions at our Prospect Ave location. Current and future students are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are awarded to students at various levels of study who demonstrate talent and achievement. Those awarded scholarships must use them for the Fall and Spring semesters in 2013-2014.
Scholarship auditions offer a wonderful opportunity for students to have their abilities assessed by professional adjudicators in a positive and supportive environment.
How to apply
All applicants (or parents/guardians for minors) must complete the required application form and return it with the application fee ($15.00 non-refundable) by Friday, March 29, 2013 to Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202-6501. Current Conservatory students must request an application from their instructor.
Only complete and legible applications will be accepted. Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned along with the entry fee. Deadlines will not be extended for these applicants.
A separate application form and fee must be submitted for each student and each category.
For New Conservatory Students only: participants must submit an application and the following materials: (1) a written paragraph indicating why he or she wants to study at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and (2) a letter of recommendation from a music teacher. All materials should be sent by Friday, March 29, 2013: Registration, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202-6501
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When and Where
The annual competition for scholarships will be held on Sunday, April 28 and Sunday, May 5, 2013, at our main location, 1584 N. Prospect Ave.
The Conservatory will schedule the auditions. Please reserve the day until you receive your audition time. As judges are specifically chosen for each category, students will not be permitted to audition out of scheduled category time. Each applicant will be notified by mail with the day and time of his/her audition. Once times are assigned, changes cannot be made.
There are nine categories for students to choose from for the auditions, spread out over two weeks:
Sunday, April 28, 2013
- 9:00am Strings and Harp
- 9:30am New Student
- 10:00am Guitar
- 1:00pm Voice
- 1:30pm Woodwinds and Brass
Sunday, May 5, 2013
- 9:00am Piano
- 10:30am Percussion
- 1:00pm Jazz
- 1:00pm Mary Horwitt Piano Scholarship
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Use of Scholarship Awards
Scholarship awards of $100 to $500 dollars are applied to full semesters of individual instruction. This is a credit which is applied toward the total tuition cost for the semester beginning fall 2013. The full award is divided equally between the fall and spring semesters. In addition, Piano, Guitar, Woodwind and Brass, Jazz and String players at the intermediate and advanced levels are eligible to receive additional scholarship money to be applied toward tuition when they register for a Conservatory ensemble.
Who can apply
Scholarships are based on merit and are awarded to promising students of any age who demonstrate talent and achievement. Qualified judges are selected by each department head for the auditions.
For current Conservatory Students
All participants must have the approval of their instructor along with his/her signature on the application form. Applications will not be processed without instructor’s signature. Each department provides audition requirements appropriate to the department. These requirements include criteria based on age or length of study. The requirements are attached to the application.
For New Conservatory Students
A new Conservatory student is one who has not previously taken lessons at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in the area for which he/she is auditioning. (Recording and Music Technology applicants please follow the requirements that are specific to that category.) Ten minutes are allotted for each participant in this category however the duration of the audition is at the judge’s discretion. Each participant must perform two pieces, one fast and one slow. The two works must be different in style and by different composers. The pieces should demonstrate technical proficiency and lyrical style. Memorization is optional. Participants are allowed to bring their own accompanists. Accompaniment is not provided by the WCM. Any amplifiers or other equipment needed for the audition should also be provided by the participant. Family members and friends are not allowed to sit in on the audition. Judges will have a brief conversation with each applicant following his/her audition. The department heads in consultation with the Director of Education hear the auditions and make recommendations for scholarship awards. All participants who receive a scholarship are required to sign a contract outlining their responsibilities. Scholarship recipients who fulfill these conditions and responsibilities, along with the recommendation from their Conservatory teacher, will have a full range of additional scholarship or financial aid opportunities available to them for study at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music during the fall and spring semesters of 2013-2014. Participants may only audition two times on their instrument in the New Student category.
Downloads
How To Apply For A Scholarship
New Student Application
New Student Requirements
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What to expect
Only the authorized judge(s) and audition officials will hear the audition. Family members and friends are not allowed to sit in on the audition. Contestants will be judged on musical qualities, technique and performance skills. Contestants will be notified by mail of their results and will receive copies of the judges’ comments. Representative winners from the current Conservatory student categories may be invited to perform at the Honors Recital on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at 3:00pm.
Students with past due balances as of March 29, 2013 will not be allowed to participate in the auditions.
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in admissions, financial aid, scholarship, and employment, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, national origin, or other legally protected characteristics.
All applicants will be contacted with results by mail. No phone calls please.
Thanks and gratitude
Contributions from people who care about opportunities to learn and perform music make a difference in the quality and scope of music programs the Conservatory can offer. We are grateful to the donors whose generous contributions make these scholarships available. Award Recipients are encouraged to send a thank you letter to the donor responsible for their scholarship and to perform at a Conservatory or community event during the year in addition to the WCM Honors Recital. Scholarship winners may also apply and receive financial aid if qualified.
Applications
Current Conservatory students must request an application from their instructor.
Requirements For Scholarships
Application Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2013, at 5:00 pm.
Information regarding specific requirements for 2013-14 scholarships is forthcoming.
Guitar
Audition Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Jazz
Audition Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Percussion
Audition Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Piano
Audition Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Mary Horwitt Piano Scholarship (Click to download application)
Application Deadline: February 27, 2013
Audition Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Strings and Harp
Audition Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Woodwind & Brass
Audition Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Voice
Audition Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013
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