Yavapai Symphony Association Music Scholarship Program 2024–2025

The Yavapai Symphony Association (YSA) Music Scholarship Program was established as an annual project in 2009. The Association gratefully acknowledges the generous earmarked bequests it has received from the estates of Betty Lee Raymer, Marion Sprang, Dorothy Chafin, and Mitzie James. These bequests have been placed specifically into the endowment fund of the Yavapai Symphony Association. Earnings from the endowment fund and additional donations make these scholarships possible. YSA has awarded more than $285,000 in music scholarships since the inception of the Program..

YSA Music Scholarship Awards are limited to residents of Yavapai County. Applicants must meet the following  requirements:

(1) Students who are currently attending high school must be graduating seniors who plan to be enrolled in an accredited institution as a music major during the fall semester of 2025;

(2) Music majors must plan to pursue a degree in music performance (piano performance, instrumental performance, vocal performance), music composition or music education;

(3) Applicants who are currently attending a college or university must provide transcripts that confirm their registration as a music major and documents all academic performance while attending their institution or any other institution from which they might have transferred;

(4) Applicants must be no older that 26 years of age unless they are pursuing a Master’s degree  or a higher degree in music education or music performance.

Students who plan to minor in music are not eligible to receive a scholarship award and should not submit an application.

Scholarship awards shall have a term of one year with the option for recipients to apply in subsequent years. There may be multiple recipients in any year. The Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee shall determine the amount of any individual award. Scholarship awards shall be based on the committee’s evaluation of the applicant’s application form and supporting documentation, letters of recommendation, music education goals and accomplishments, audition and interview, and financial need.

Scholarship Application Requirements

Applicant must complete the YSA Scholarship Application Form and attach the following supporting documentation.

• A copy of the applicant’s high school transcript or college transcript if applicant is currently attending a college, university, or conservatory.
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from the applicant’s music teacher or ensemble director.
• A resume of applicant’s participation in high school, college, and community arts music programs.
• The YSA Scholarship Financial Need Form completed by the applicant’s parents/guardian.
• An audition video that documents the applicant’s performance level. Audition videos may be submitted with links to published or private online platforms such as Vimeo or YouTube.

Scholarship Audition Repertoire Requirements

Piano

First-time applicants should prepare a program approximately fifteen minutes in length consisting of two to four works drawn from the following periods:
• Baroque: a prelude or fugue by Bach, or similar
• Classical: a movement of a sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven
• Romantic: a work from this 19^th-century period
• Modern: a work from the 20th or 21st century

Preference will be given if the applicant visibly performs their chosen works from memory and playing should demonstrate an understanding of the technical and musical demands that apply to these contrasting styles.

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should present works of similar length that reflect their current repertoire.

Strings

First-time applicants should prepare a program of about fifteen minutes in length, consisting of two or three contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire for your instrument that demonstrate tone quality, vibrato, expression, and technical proficiency. Repertoire should include a movement from a concerto or a comparable work. Unless written expressly for unaccompanied solo, repertoire should be presented in full performance context or accompanied by piano/piano reduction or with aa pre-recorded accompaniment.

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should present
works of similar length that reflect their current repertoire.

Winds

First-time applicants should prepare a program of about fifteen minutes in length, consisting of two or three contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire for the instrument that demonstrate tone quality, expression, technical ability, and proficiency with articulation. Repertoire could include one technical etude or study of the applicant’s choice, one movement from any sonata, and one 20^th-century work of your choice. Unless written expressly for unaccompanied solo, repertoire should be presented in full performance context  or accompanied by piano/piano  reduction or with a pre-recorded accompaniment. 

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should present works of similar length that reflect their current repertoire.

Brass

First-time applicants should prepare a program of about fifteen minutes in length, consisting of two or three contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire for the instrument. The repertoire could include one lyrical solo or etude written for your instrument demonstrating tone quality, phrasing, and musicianship, and one fast piece or etude demonstrating technical ability.  A reasonable sampling of jazz or modern music etudes demonstrating improvisational skills will be accepted. Unless written expressly for unaccompanied solo, repertoire should be presented in full performance context or accompanied by piano/piano reduction or with a pre-recorded accompaniment. 

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should present works of similar length that reflect their current repertoire.

Percussion

First-time applicants should prepare a program about fifteen minutes in length. The music chosen should demonstrate tone quality, expression, accuracy, and technical proficiency.  The applicant’s audition must include at least the first three elements below:

Mallets: Choose a two- or four-mallet work from the solo or concerto repertoire. Unless written expressly for unaccompanied solo, repertoire should be presented in full performance context with either piano/piano reduction accompaniment or with a pre-recorded accompaniment.

Snare drum: Choose at least one standard snare drum excerpt from the orchestral repertoire. The performance should express understanding of the orchestral context of the excerpt. This includes tempo, tone, and dynamics.

Timpani: Choose at least one standard timpani excerpt from the orchestral repertoire. Excerpts with tuning changes are encouraged. The performance should express understanding of the orchestra context of the excerpt. This includes tempo, tone, and dynamics.

Optional: If the applicant wishes to demonstrate skills on other percussion instruments to round out the audition, please be sure this portion of the audition is not more than three minutes in length.

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should follow the same recommendations, but not repeat works that have previously been performed for a YSA scholarship application unless they demonstrate significant progress in proficiency.

Voice

First-time applicants should prepare a program of about fifteen minutes in length, consisting of two to four works. Vocalists should prepare two classical songs in varying styles or tempi. One piece should be in a foreign language. You may choose one musical-theater piece but no pop songs are permitted. All selections should be memorized and  an accompanist should be involved. Selections should demonstrate the full range of the voice, expressive potential, and good diction.

REPEAT APPLICANTS, those currently enrolled in college/university programs should present work of similar length that reflect their current repertoire.

Music Composition

Scholarship applicants who are music composition majors may elect to perform original works for piano and/or instrumental ensembles. Compositions for instrumental ensembles should be accompanied by a recording or video. A score for all works submitted should be provided to the Committee. Applicants should also provide a list of works that have been performed by local ensembles or ensembles at his or her college or university.  The Committee will rate and rank performances based on artistry and compositional elements and not on the quality or excellence of the performances.

Scholarship Timetable and Deadlines

Applications for the 2025 Music Scholarship Awards may be submitted from October 15, 2024 to March 15, 2025. Applications and videos received after the March 15, 2024 deadline will not be considered.

The Scholarship Committee will conclude its selection process by requesting the Yavapai Symphony Association to approve funding for the 2025 Music Scholarship Award Program. All decisions made by the Scholarship Committee are final and will remain confidential. All documents submitted by each applicant will be kept confidential and  the property of the Yavapai Symphony Association. The Scholarship award winners will be announced at the Yavapai Symphony Association’s May 20, 2025 concert. Scholarship award winners and their guests will be invited to attend.

Distribution of Scholarship Award Funds

Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the financial aid office of the recipient’s college or university. All scholarship funds must be used to offset the cost of higher education. The funds must be used for tuition, books, and/or room and board while enrolled in the recipient’s college or university during the 2024–25 academic year. Scholarship funds may not be used for purchase of instruments or other musical equipment.

Scholarship Award Recipients must complete a YSA Music Scholarship Award Acknowledgment Form.   YSA Scholarship Award Acknowledgement Form. No scholarship funds will be disbursed until the recipient completes and returns this form to the Yavapai Symphony Association. It is the responsibility of each scholarship recipient to report gift income, if applicable for tax purposes.

Application Procedures

Application forms may be downloaded from the Yavapai Symphony Association website:
www.yavapaisymphony.org.

The Applicant must complete and/or provide the following documents:
1. A completed YSA Scholarship Application Form. YSA Scholarship Application Form
2. A YSA Financial Need Form. Click here for the form: YSA Scholarship Financial Need Form
3. A typewritten résumé of applicant’s participation in high school, college, and community arts music programs.
4. A copy of high school transcripts and college transcripts if applicant is currently
attending a college or university (Note: Transcripts may be sent directly to YSA by the institution).

Applicant should have two letters of recommendation, preferably from their music teachers, sent directly to the YSA Scholarship Committee. Applications and required documentation are to be mailed to the YSA Scholarship Committee, PO Box 2333, Prescott, AZ 86302.