Student plays guitar on stage to celebrate a night of jazz at Belmont University

Auditions & Scholarships

College of Music & Performing Arts

Music Scholarships

The School of Music awards Undergraduate and Graduate scholarships based on the incoming student’s audition (this is separate from any academic merit or need-based aid that the University awards to undergraduate students). These performance-based music scholarships are awarded to incoming music majors who demonstrate exceptional performance skills. Music scholarships are awarded across the full range of music majors and principals and divided equally among the voice, keyboard and instrumental departments, as well as the different audition methods. Students may have a School of Music scholarship in addition to their merit or need-based aid from the University.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Students who audition in person or by video will automatically be considered for music scholarships.

  • Overall Scholarship Deadline for Fall 2024: February 18, 2024
  • Notification of Scholarship: Those who audition either in-person or via video prior to November 12, 2023 will receive a scholarship decision in December 2023. Those auditioning after November 12, 2023 will receive their decision in March 2024. Transfer students for Spring 2024 wishing to be considered for scholarship must audition in person or submit a video audition by November 12, 2023.

Students who receive a School of Music scholarship will be sent a mailed letter. Students who audition by November 12, 2023 will receive music scholarship notification in December 2023. Students who audition after November 12, 2023 will receive music scholarship notification in March 2024.

The School of Music typically awards scholarships to approximately 25-30 percent of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to four years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time music major and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester.

Information about need-based or merit scholarships can be found on the Student Financial Services page.

Woods Piano Scholarship

The Woods Piano Scholarship is endowed by the estate of Merrydale Woods and is available to any applicant who will pursue an undergraduate music degree as a piano principal. The award is up to $10,000 and is renewable for four years.

To be considered for the Woods Piano Scholarship, applicants must first apply and be accepted to the University. Students then must audition and be accepted by the School of Music. Please see the requirements for undergraduate piano auditions on this page. Students who audition live or submit complete video auditions before the stated deadline for scholarship consideration each year are automatically considered for this award.

Reminders: The overall scholarship deadline for Spring 2024 is November 12, 2023. The overall scholarship deadline for Fall 2024 is February 18, 2024.

Direct any questions about the Woods Piano Scholarship or the audition/application process to:

Dr. Kristian Klefstad, Coordinator - Keyboard/Piano Area
Keyboard Area
Belmont University
School of Music
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757

kristian.klefstad@belmont.edu
615.460.8222

Graduate Scholarships

All applicants to the graduate program are automatically considered for School of Music Graduate Scholarships.

If you receive a School of Music scholarship, you will receive a letter from the School of Music to sign by May 1st. The School of Music typically awards music scholarships to approximately 25 -30 percent of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to two years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time graduate student and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester.

Contact Us

College of Music and Performing Arts

1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615.460.6408