ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT
1. All applications (except applications for Summer Scholarships, the Professional Development grant, and the Music Educator grant) are due by midnight, Central Standard Time on March 1st of each year.
2. Summer Scholarship applications are due by Midnight, Central Standard Time on April 15th of each year. Music Educator Grant and Professional Development Grant applications are due by Midnight, Central Standard Time on November 1st of each year.
3. All application fees are non-refundable, even in the case of incomplete applications.
4. Applicants must be dues-paying members. If a member pays their dues after December 31st of the previous year, a processing fee will apply.
5. Applicants may apply for more than one scholarship/grant.
6. Previous winners (2020 and prior) are now eligible to apply for the same scholarship or grant, unless otherwise noted. Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grant and the Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Project Grant winners may apply annually.
7. A Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarship or grant may not be used for everyday living expenses, to repay educational loans, or to repay personal debt.
Looking for some guidance? Check out our new Application Assistance Page. We are here to help!
Arts Management
EDYTHE G. BURDIN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To a student studying arts management.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
Career Change
MARY ALICE COX GRANT FOR LIFELONG LEARNING ($2,000)
To an alumni member, in good standing for 10 years or more at time of application. To be used for continued or renewed development of a mid-career transition in any field of professional music, including but not limited to performance, composition, pedagogy and education, music therapy, music administration, and music technology.
Eligible Applicants: Alumni
Conducting/Coaching
JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CHORAL CONDUCTING OR SACRED MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000)
To support the study of choral conducting or sacred music.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CONDUCTING/COACHING SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000)
To support the study of conducting/coaching
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Diversity Scholar
DIVERSITY SCHOLAR GRANT ($2,000)
To be awarded to traditionally underrepresented and minoritized populations such as BIPOC, AAPI, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or projects.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Early Music
EARLY MUSIC GRANT ($1,000)
To be awarded to an individual for the study of or a project relating to Early Music. Applicants can be pursuing one or more of the following: study or research, performance, lessons, workshops, or purchase of a period instrument.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Note: The Early Music Grant will NOT be offered in the 2024 cycle.
Ensemble Music
JAMES AND LOLA FAUST CHAMBER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000)
To a chamber ensemble with one or two Mu Phi Epsilon members (depending on total number of members) demonstrating a performance history of at least two years.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
LARGE ENSEMBLE GRANT ($2,000)
To be awarded to an ensemble with at least one member of Mu Phi Epsilon involved in the ensemble. Large ensembles must demonstrate a performance history of at least two years. The Large Ensemble shall consist of 11 or more musicians and shall have a separate conductor. Ensembles with more Mu Phi Epsilon members will be considered to be of particular application strength.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Note: The Large Ensemble Grant will NOT be offered in the 2024 cycle.
International Study
MABEL HENDERSON MEMORIAL GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY ($2,000)
To support study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship, awarded on the basis of high achievement in the applicant’s major field. Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2021.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
BERNSTEIN-CROSMAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
Piano scholarship for study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
ELEANOR B. WEILER and MILDRED B. FRAME PIANO SCHOLARSHIP (Up to $6,000)
To support piano study in France (preferably Paris). One or more scholarships available.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Keyboard
BERNSTEIN-CROSMAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
Piano scholarship for study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
ELEANOR B. WEILER and MILDRED B. FRAME PIANO SCHOLARSHIP (Up to $6,000)
To support piano study in France (preferably Paris). One or more scholarships available.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
HELEN HAUPT PIANO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To a pianist.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
WIHLA HUTSON ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an organist.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
NANCY BROGDEN BOOKER COLLABORATIVE PIANIST AWARD ($1,000)
To an affiliated member of Mu Phi Epsilon who has demonstrated facility and continued activity as an accompanist for soloists, choral groups, dancers, or others dependent upon keyboard artists for rehearsals or performances.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Music Technology
BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY ($2,000)
In memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving music technology.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Music Therapy
LAVERNE JACKSON MEMORIAL MUSIC THERAPY SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate applicant who is enrolled in an accredited music therapy program and will be doing a pre-internship/internship with a special population.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
Musicology
MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD-UNDERGRADUATE ($250)
A $250 award to an undergraduate music student (or recent graduate) for a musicological research paper or thesis.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD-MASTERS ($750)
A $750 award to a master’s level music student (or recent graduate) for a musicological research paper or thesis.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate (Master’s level only)
MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD-DOCTORAL ($1,000)
A $1,000 award to a doctoral music student (or recent graduate) for a musicological dissertation.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate (Doctoral level only)
Summer Music Programs
ELEANOR HALE WILSON SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For study at a domestic or international summer music program. Scholarship application may be made before the program acceptance is confirmed. 6 Awards.
Applications for the Wilson Summer Scholarships are due 11:59pm CST on APRIL 15.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Theory
RUTH DEAN MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate student majoring in music theory or composition.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
World Music/Multicultural Music
BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR WORLD MUSIC/MULTICULTURAL MUSIC ($2,000)
Awarded in memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for study, travel, publication, or performance projects involving world/multicultural music.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Brass • Woodwind • Percussion
GERKE COLLEGIATE ARTIST SCHOLARSHIPS ($2,000)
To an undergraduate instrumentalist (woodwinds, brass, percussion, or strings) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
JEAN LOUISE MARTIN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate or graduate instrumentalist (woodwinds, brass, percussion, or strings) for study in music performance.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
Chapters
WIESE-ABEGG COLLEGIATE CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS ($2,000)
To support one or more special projects undertaken by collegiate chapters. Previous winners of this grant may re-apply annually for consideration of a significantly different project.
Eligible Applicants: Collegiate Chapters
HELEN HAUPT ALUMNI CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS ($2,000)
To support one or more special projects undertaken by alumni chapters. Previous winners of this grant may re-apply annually for consideration of a significantly different project.
Eligible Applicants: Alumni Chapters
Composition
RUTH DEAN MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To a student majoring in music theory or composition.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
LILLIAN HARLAN RAMAGE GRANT FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN COMPOSITION ($2,000)
To a graduate student in composition.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate
ELLEN JANE LORENZ PORTER GRANT FOR GRADUATE WORK IN COMPOSITION ($2,000)
To a graduate student working on an advanced degree in composition.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD DIVISION I
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
Former First Prize Winners in this division are ineligible to re-apply.
Class A: Large-Scale Works. No time limit. ($250)
Class B: Any form for instrument(s) or voice(s). Up to six minutes in length. ($200)
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD DIVISION II
Eligible Applicants: Graduate, Alumni
Former First Prize Winners in this division are ineligible to re-apply.
Class A: Large Scale Works: No time limit. ($350)
Class B: Any form for instrument(s) or voice(s). Up to six minutes in length. ($250)
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD DIVISION III
Eligible Applicants: Former First Prize Winners in Division I and II categories
Class A: Any form. No time limit. ($400)
General
LIANA K. SANDIN GRANTS-IN-AID ($2,000)
For a specific purpose essential to completion of an exceptional musical project or undertaking well beyond the planning stage.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
MERLE MONTGOMERY DOCTORAL GRANT ($3,000)
To a doctoral candidate (ABD) whose advanced work toward the degree is at a significant stage of completion.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate (Doctoral level only)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT ($2,000)
To cover registration fees for a professional development opportunity or conference. Award for up to $2,000. May not be used for Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention or District Conference. Multiple grants awarded.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
Note: The Professional Development Grant will NOT be offered in the 2023-2024 cycle.
Jazz
JAZZ STUDY GRANT ($2,000)
To a student studying jazz performance or jazz composition. The funds must be used to fund a project or studies related to jazz performance or composition.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
Note: The Jazz Study Grant will NOT be offered in the 2024 cycle.
Music Education
MADGE CATHCART GERKE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate applicant in music education with no professional classroom teaching experience who will complete certification requirements at the end of any term of the current academic year.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
INES PRATT JAMISON SCHOLARSHIP ($2,500)
To an undergraduate music education major who is studying voice.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
BETH LANDIS MUSIC EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000)
For undergraduate or graduate study in music education.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
NADINE WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an applicant currently enrolled in an accredited program of graduate study in music education.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate
ELEANOR HALE WILSON CELLO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate or graduate music major whose primary instrument is cello.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
HAZEL B. MORGAN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For graduate study in music education.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate
DR. FRAN IRWIN MUSIC EDUCATION MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For a junior or senior undergraduate music education major.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
MUSIC EDUCATORS GRANT ($2,000)
To assist professional music educators in the field with classroom expenses and other supplies.
Applications for Music Educator Grant are due 11:59pm CST on NOVEMBER 1.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate, Alumni
Strings
ALBERTA DENK SCHOLARSHIP FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, DOUBLE BASS ($2,000)
To support a music major’s study of string performance.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
GERKE COLLEGIATE ARTIST SCHOLARSHIPS ($2,000)
To an undergraduate instrumentalist (woodwinds, brass, percussion, or strings) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
BETH LANDIS VIOLIN SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000)
For undergraduate or graduate music major whose primary instrument is violin.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
JEAN LOUISE MARTIN SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate or graduate instrumentalist (woodwinds, brass, percussion, or strings) for study in music performance.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
ELEANOR HALE WILSON CELLO SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To an undergraduate or graduate music major whose primary instrument is cello.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate
Voice
ELIZABETH BOLDENWECK VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For undergraduate study in voice.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
INES PRATT JAMISON SCHOLARSHIP ($2,500)
To an undergraduate music education major who is studying voice.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
BRENA HAZZARD VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000)
To any Mu Phi Epsilon member pursuing vocal study, awarded on behalf of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
SARA EIKENBERRY VOICE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To deserving mezzo-soprano or contralto undergraduate voice student.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate
SARA EIKENBERRY VOICE GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
To deserving mezzo-soprano or contralto graduate voice student.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate
MIKANNA CLARK TAURMAN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For study in voice beyond the undergraduate level.
Eligible Applicants: Graduate, Alumni
LIANA K. SANDIN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000)
For a vocal project or vocal study.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni
2023 Scholarship & Grant Recipients
Past Scholarship & Grant Recipients
GRANT & SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRS
Kira Dixon
PRESIDENT@mpefoundation.org
Music Educator Grants (due Nov. 1)
Madge Cathcart Gerke Scholarship
Beth Landis Music Education Scholarship
Hazel B. Morgan Scholarship*
Nadine Williams Scholarship
Dr. Fran Irwin Music Education Memorial Scholarship
John and Mary Virginia Foncannon Choral Conducting or Sacred Music Scholarship
John and Mary Virginia Foncannon Conducting/Coaching Scholarship
Sean Kilgore
Vicepresident@mpefoundation.org
Alberta Denk Scholarship for Violin, Viola, Cello*
Beth Landis Violin Scholarship
Eleanor Hale Wilson Cello Scholarship
La Verne Jackson Memorial Music Therapy Scholarship
Edythe G. Burdin Scholarship
Mary Alice Cox Grant for Lifelong Learning
Jean Louise Martin Scholarship
Isabel De La Cerda
Treasurer@mpefoundation.org
Gerke Collegiate Artist Scholarships*
Bettylou Scandling Hubin Scholarship for World Music/Multicultural Music
Musicological Research Awards
Original Composition Awards
Diversity Scholars Grant
Jazz Studies Grant (Not offered this year)
Dr. Katsuya Yuasa
secretary@mpefoundation.org
Liana K. Sandin Grants-In-Aid**
Mabel Henderson Memorial Grant for International Study
Merle Montgomery Doctoral Grant
Ellen Jane Lorenz Porter Grant for Graduate Work in Composition
Lillian Harlan Ramage Grant for Graduate Study in Composition*
James and Lola Faust Chamber Music Scholarship
Ruth Dean Morris Scholarship
*Scholarships are significantly funded through the generosity of the Eleanor Hale Wilson Charitable Trust.
**Grants significantly funded by the Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation
Danielle Kuntz
grants@mpefoundation.org
Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grants
Helen Haupt Piano Scholarship
Wihla Hutson Organ Scholarship
Bernstein-Crosman Scholarship
Eleanor B. Weiler and Mildred B. Frame Piano Scholarship
Nancy Brogden Booker Collaborative Pianist Award
Dr. Matthew Hoch
philanthropies@mpefoundation.org
Elizabeth Boldenweck Voice Scholarship*
Mikanna Clark Taurman Voice Scholarship
Sara Eikenberry Undergraduate Voice Scholarship
Sara Eikenberry Graduate Voice Scholarship
Ines Pratt Jamison Scholarship
Brena Hazzard Voice Scholarship
Liana K. Sandin Voice Scholarship
Dr. Hannah Porter-Occeña
admin@mpefoundation.org
Bettylou Scandling Hubin Scholarship for Music Technology
Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Grant
Eleanor Hale Wilson Summer Scholarships (due April 15)
Large Ensemble Grant (Not offered this year)
Professional Development Grant (Not offered this year)
Early Music Grant (Not offered this year)