Music Scholarship

Incoming freshmen and transfer students with exceptional music ability are invited to apply for a Music Scholarship, with annual values between $1,000-2,000 per year, renewable each year. The student does not have to be a music major in order to audition for or receive a music scholarship.

Music Scholarship Opportunities
  • $1,000/$2,000 band scholarship (renewable annually)
  • $1,000/$2,000 choral scholarship (renewable annually)
  • $1,000/$2,000 strings scholarship (renewable annually)
  • $1,000 piano or organ accompanying scholarship (renewable annually)

Music scholarships may be awarded in addition to any other scholarships that the college offers. However, recipients may receive only one music or fine arts scholarship.

Eligibility and Selection
  • Scholarship applicants must be accepted for admission on or before the scholarship application deadline.
  • Scholarship selection is based on musical ability as demonstrated at the audition in conjunction with two written recommendations.
  • Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen or transfer students.
  • Students need not be music majors to receive an award.

All scholarships are renewable annually, provided the student fulfills the following:

  • Maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • Band, choral, or strings scholarship recipients must perform in an assigned major ensemble each semester of the year the scholarship is awarded.
  • Accompanying scholarship recipients must fulfill their accompanying assignments to the satisfaction of the music department.
  • Has satisfactorily participated in the activities of the music department.
  • Models an example of Christian character and leadership.
Application Instructions
  1. Complete the online application form. We recommend that you review the application first so you know what you'll need to complete it. The deadline for completing ALL components of the application (online form and recommendations) is March 14, 2025, for a 2025-2026 Music Scholarship.
  2. In the application, you will need to provide the name, email, and phone number for two references. The recommendation form will be sent electronically to your recommenders after you apply.
  3. Your in-person audition will be scheduled at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Students who are unable to travel to campus may submit a video audition instead. If you have questions about the application or audition process or about the audition video, please email Dr. Jeremy Zima (jeremy.zima@wlc.edu).
Scholarship Auditions
  • Auditions will take place in the Center for Arts and Performance at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
  • Auditions should consist of two or more numbers of contrasting character or style. An accompanist can be provided by the Music Department if the music is sent one week in advance of the audition date. Vocalists must perform one song in a foreign language and both songs should be memorized.
  • Pianists auditioning for the accompanying scholarships should play one or both solos by memory and will be asked to sight read.
  • Students who are unable to travel to WLC on one of the audition dates may submit a recording of their performance.
Audition Requirements

Piano

  • Two compositions or movements in contrasting styles (approximately 8-minute total length).

Organ

  • A prelude and fugue by Bach.
  • A composition from Romantic or Contemporary periods.
  • A hymn.
  • At the piano: A Two-part invention by Bach.

Voice

  • Two songs or arias in contrasting styles (approximately 8-minute total length). It is preferable that one song be in a foreign language.

Woodwinds

  • Two contrasting compositions, or two contrasting movements from the same composition (approximately 10-minute total length).

Brass

  • Two contrasting compositions, or two contrasting movements from the same composition (approximately 10-minute total length).

Strings

  • Two compositions or movements in contrasting styles. It is preferable that one be a movement from a major concerto. One may be an etude that shows the level of your technical development.

Harp

  • Two compositions or movements in contrasting styles.
  • One orchestral cadenza.

Percussion

  • Two prepared solos on two of the following: snare drum, timpani, drum set, or mallet percussion (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, or bells) (approximately 10-minute total length).