The Department of Music at Valparaiso University invites applicants to compete for this scholarship opportunity, designed to support committed young performing artists in preparing for musical professions. A limited number of Signature Artist Scholarships (up to full tuition) are available to advanced performers who intend to pursue degrees in music. 

Each applicant must submit a preliminary video audition, a completed student data sheet, and two recommendations, one of which must be from a private teacher in the performance field of the audition. Finalists will be selected from among the pre-screened applicants and invited to campus for the required final audition on one of two dates in 2011-12.

Auditions for Signature Artist Scholarships:

Sunday, November 6, 2011
Deadline for receipt of application materials: October 17
Audition finalists notified of audition times by October 21

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Deadline for receipt of application materials: January 30
Audition finalists notified of audition times by February 3


Who is eligible?
Students who have applied and are admitted to Valparaiso University, and who have declared music as their primary or only major, may apply for a Signature Artist Scholarship.   

What am I required to submit for my application?
•    Video audition [DVD, online posting, or VHS]
•    Completed Student Data Sheet
•    Two recommendations, including one from the private studio teacher

Application forms can be requested via email at music@valpo.edu or by phone at 219-464-5454.

What should I perform on my video and at my live audition?
•    Instrumental auditions should include 2-3 prepared works in contrasting styles.
•    Organ auditions should include 2-3 prepared selections in contrasting styles. Organists should also prepare a hymn.
•    Percussion auditions should perform in the following three areas: mallets, snare, and timpani.
•    Piano auditions should include 2-3 memorized (solo) works in contrasting styles.
•    Vocal auditions should include 3 memorized selections, at least two in a foreign language.

Finalists selected for the live campus audition may choose to perform the same repertoire from the video round, or may elect to perform other works. 

What if I need an accompanist for the campus audition?
Accompanists will be provided for the finalists at the on-campus auditions. The Department will contact you directly to confirm your repertoire selections and to obtain copies of the scores. 

What will happen at the audition?
Applicants who are selected as finalists will be assigned an audition time on their choice of date: Sunday November 6, 2011, or Saturday February 18, 2012. Warm-up spaces will be provided, as well as rehearsal time with an accompanist, if applicable. Each finalist will present a program of 10-12 minutes in Duesenberg Recital Hall for the music faculty panel. Each finalist will also have a brief interview with the faculty, and will take an assessment in the basics of music theory, terminology, sight reading and aural skills.

When will I be notified about the results?
Finalists will be notified of the results within 3-4 weeks of the campus auditions. For finalists who are not selected for the Signature Artist scholarships, their auditions may qualify them for the Forte or Vivace Scholarships. 

What if I am not selected to audition for the Signature Artist Scholarship?
Only a limited number of students will be invited to audition on campus after the pre-screening round. Students who are not selected for an on-campus audition will automatically have their video auditions placed into consideration for the Forte and Vivace Scholarships. Alternatively, students not selected for the Signature Artist Scholarship are encouraged to come to campus in February for the open auditions for the Forte and Vivace Scholarships on one of two dates:  Saturday, February 11, 2012  and Monday, February 21, 2012.

What if I have more questions?
For information on financial aid, call the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 219.464.5015 or (toll free) 888.GO.VALPO and ask to speak with a Financial Aid Counselor.

For more information on the Department of Music and music scholarships, call 219.464.5454. Send e-mail inquiries directly to the Music Office at: music@valpo.edu.