Music Scholarships

Whatever your major, you can apply for music scholarships at Calvin.

We offer around 60 music scholarships to Calvin students, regardless of your major or year of study. If you demonstrate solid musicianship and want to meaningfully participate in department lessons or ensembles, we invite you to apply.

Find more details and deadlines for Named Scholarships at Calvin

What music scholarships are available?

Calvin music scholarships are available for:

Composition
Guitar
Instrumental (Brass, Strings, Woodwinds)
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Voice

Some scholarships require students to take private lessons in the area of the award and most require participation in an appropriate faculty-directed ensemble for the duration of the scholarship.

How do I apply for a music scholarship?

Apply to Calvin
If you are admitted, you can sign in at to complete the Named Scholarships application. You will automatically qualify for every scholarship you are eligible for.
Within the Named Scholarship application, select "yes" when asked if you want to apply for music scholarships. You will then be presented with the additional music application.
Within the application, provide YouTube link(s) to audition recording(s). See guidelines below.

Application Review and Results:

Calvin music faculty carefully review all music scholarship applications and supporting performance auditions. We award based upon the level of musicianship and demonstrated interest to contribute to enriching musical life within the Calvin community.

If you are awarded a music scholarship, we will notify you by March 1.

Sign in at to complete the Named Scholarships application. You will automatically qualify for every scholarship you are eligible for.
Within the Named Scholarship application, select "yes" when asked if you want to apply for music scholarships. You will then be presented with the additional music application.
We may require performance auditions for returning students who did not submit a recording as an incoming first-year or transfer student. See audition guidelines below if you did not submit one as an incoming student.

Application Review and Results:

If you are awarded a music scholarship, we will notify you by June 1.

Audition Guidelines

Incoming students must include an audition with their scholarship applications (see application instructions above).

While other schools hold live auditions, we require recorded auditions so that every applicant, from anywhere in the world, will receive equal consideration.

All performance auditions should be video-recorded live and uploaded to YouTube. Need help? Refer to this page for information on .

Area-specific guidelines:

Two compositions (ideally in contrasting styles), uploaded to YouTube (video OR audio recordings are acceptable). Scores, lead sheets, and/or lyrics for both recorded compositions (in PDF format) must also be submitted. Applicants must also submit a one-page written narrative (in PDF format) describing yourself and your music that includes: 1) a description of your experience with composition thus far (Have you taken lessons? If so, for how long? How much work have you done as a composer?); a short program note explaining the central idea and/or history behind each of your submitted compositions.