Scholarships
The NMU Music Department awards scholarships to music majors and non-majors based on auditions. Students must re-audition for scholarships each school year. For incoming freshmen, the scholarship audition will take place on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Students who cannot arrange an on-site audition can submit a recorded audition. The recorded audition should be one performance from start to finish. Edited copies are not acceptable. Students must be accepted for admission to Northern Michigan University to be eligible to sign up for a scholarship audition. For more information about other scholarships and sources of financial aid, please contact the NMU Financial Aid Office at 906-227-2327 or fao@nmu.edu.
How do I sign up for an audition?
You must be formally accepted to NMU before you can sign up to audition. Once accepted, contact the Music Department at 906-227-2563 or through our toll free number 800-682-9797 to register for a scholarship audition. When you connect, press 7 and an operator will connect your call to the Music Department. The secretary in the Music Department can register you. You will receive written notification of your audition with further important information including the time and place of your audition.
Types of Scholarships?
There are different types of scholarships awarded by Northern Michigan University and the Music Department. Below is a list of scholarships, some general information, and some of the requirements and qualifications.
Scholarship |
Amount |
Eligibility |
Restrictions |
| Board of Trustees Scholarships | $200 to $1,000 | Any student by audition | 3.00 GPA |
| Hinda Cunningham Music Scholarship | Varies | Preference given to full time incoming freshmen from an Upper Peninsula high school; by audition | Music or Music Education Major |
| Dr. and Mrs. John X. Jamrich Music Scholarship | Varies | Full time freshman or transfer student; by audition | Music Major in Piano, Violin, or Clarinet |
| NMU Music Scholarship | Varies | Full time undergraduate | Music or Music Education Major |
| Evelyn Quinnell Memorial Scholarship | Varies | Any student by audition | Distinction |
| Alma Swinton Memorial Scholarship | Varies | Any student by audition | Distinction |
| Julie M. Tomasi Memorial Scholarship | Varies | Full-time entering junior or senior; by audition | Piano or Voice 2.75 GPA |
What music should I perform for my audition?
Vocal or instrumental students auditioning for scholarships should prepare a solo piece or etude on the instrument for which they are auditioning. Students should pick audition pieces that accentuate their best qualities as a performer and demonstrate their potential as a performer. Any of the classical concerto literature is fine for instrumentalists, or solos that would be appropriate at solo and ensemble festivals. For vocal students, art songs from the common practice period would be appropriate. These selections need not be in a foreign language and students are not required to have them memorized. Students who would like to bring their own accompanist can do so.
What will happen in my audition?
The auditions at NMU consist of an informal interview during which the faculty can ask questions about background, interests, intended major, etc. Students who are auditioning will also have a chance to ask questions of the faculty. Students will perform their prepared material for the faculty. The audition may be tape recorded so that other faculty members who may not be present can assess the audition. You may be asked to play scales that you know and/or sight-read.
With whom will I audition?
Your audition will take place with a faculty member or members within your particular performance area. That is, vocal students will audition for vocal faculty, woodwinds will audition with the woodwind faculty, brass with brass faculty and piano with our piano faculty. If a particular faculty member in your performance area is not present at your audition, a recording will be used to allow those members to hear your audition.
Vocal
Robert Engelhart - voice
Sharon Green - voice
Floyd Slotterback - choral director
Woodwind
Donald Grant - single and double reeds
Elda Tate - flute
Strings
Barbara Rhyneer
Piano
Nancy Redfern
Brass / Percussion
Mark Flaherty - high brass
Stephen Grugin - low brass
James A. Strain - percussion
How will I know if I receive a scholarship?
After your audition, you will get a letter thanking you for auditioning and keeping you apprised of the audition process. The final official scholarship recommendations are made in early April. The scholarship offer will come to you in the form of a written document from the Music Department which will explain the terms of the scholarship clearly. Also enclosed will be a form which you will need to complete and return to the Music Department by the date indicated in the letter. If a scholarship is not awarded, a letter will be sent stating so.
Throughout this process, you may have questions. Don't hesitate to ask them. Feel free to contact the Music Department at 906-227-2563 or e-mail any of the faculty. We will be glad to help you.
Audition Dates
Dates for the 2010-2011 academic year are below.
- 11:00 am on Nov. 7, 2009
- Noon on Feb. 20, 2010
- 11:00 am on March 20, 2010
