Music Scholarships

Audition-Only

The Music Department awards more than $170,000 in annual scholarships to talented music students who audition, and the grant is renewable every year through graduation. We encourage potential music majors and minors to audition, but we're pleased to offer a significant number of music scholarships to talented students majoring in other academic disciplines.

You must audition to be considered for a scholarship. To schedule an audition on campus or to learn more about how to submit a YouTube video as your audition, please complete the audition application form.

If you submit your virtual audition by January 15, we'll be sure you receive your Music Scholarship award by January 31. We hope this quick turnaround shows you our commitment to offering you a quality musical education as part of an affordable, liberal arts education. 

2023-2024 On-Campus Scholarship Audition Dates

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Application to Audition

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Music Scholarships

Vocal and Instrumental

The Music Department awards more than $170,000 in annual, renewable scholarships to music students who audition.

Audition Application

Discover Your Potential
Major in Music at SAU

St. Ambrose University music major Colin Evers is a talented musician from Peoria, Illinois. Along with dedicated and talented faculty, Colin has all the opportunities and support he needs with the SAU Music Department.

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Scholarship Information

Audition Requirements

You may audition for a scholarship in voice, piano, woodwinds and brass, percussion, and guitar.

1. Provide one copy of your piece(s) to the committee at the audition. It will be returned at the conclusion of the performance.
2. Bring your own accompanist; otherwise, the department will provide one. If you will be using a Music Department accompanist, you must provide a copy of your music one week in advance.
3. Limit your repertoire to 15 minutes. Longer pieces may be performed, but the committee may wish to hear only certain sections in such cases.

Voice

1. Two selections from the following categories:

a. an art song from the Italian, German, French, English, or American standard repertoire in the original language
b. a second art song or folk song arrangement or a selection from Broadway repertoire
2. Vocalization led by a member of the voice faculty

Piano

1. Two compositions (one memorized) from contrasting style periods (e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern)
2. Major scales hands together, two octaves up and down
3. Sight-reading

Woodwinds, Brass, and Strings

1. A solo or etude which displays the performer's ability in legato and staccato playing various tempi, and their range
2. Sight-reading
3. Scales: major scales, up and down through the range of the instrument

Percussion

1. A solo or etude on any or all of the following: snare drum, timpani, or mallets
2. Sight-reading
3. Scales on mallets: major scales, up and down, two-octaves

Retaining Your Scholarship

During your first four semesters as a scholarship recipient, you are required to study with a St. Ambrose faculty member on your instrument/voice.

Additionally, you must be enrolled in a major ensemble related to your discipline (Symphonic Band or University Chorale) for the duration of your scholarship award period.

Endowed Scholarships in Music

At the end of each academic year, Music Department faculty select several current music majors to receive endowed scholarships.

Criteria for the scholarships include progress/excellence in musicianship as demonstrated by student transcript(s) and seriousness of purpose as shown by a student's positive and respectful attitude toward music, their studies, themselves, and others.

For each award, amounts may vary depending on how the endowment performs. These awards are above any other financial aid.

Dr. Charles and Joyce DCamp Scholarship
Available to a returning music student. Open to any student, and preference is given to band students who also play piano.

Edith Yutt Scholarship
Preference for a Junior or Senior studying piano and/or vocal

Agnes Rose Malik Scholarship
Available to Music students (preference for piano, but not required)

Contact Us


Nathan Windt, DMA

Music Department
Galvin Fine Arts Center 109
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6146
WindtNathanJ@sau.edu

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