ILLINOIS MUSIC ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The "Illinois Music Association Scholarship Foundation" awards scholarships to college-level music students. Scholarship auditions are conducted in mid summer, and are awarded once a year to one or more students. This Scholarship Foundation is not to be confused with the State Olympic Contest, nor the Sam and Rose Licata Memorial Contest. It is separate and independent activity under control of the Scholarship Committee of the Illinois Music Association.

ILLINOIS MUSIC ASSOCIATION GRANT PROGRAM

The Illinois Music Association's Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to talented college students pursuing degrees in music-related fields. We are very proud to have granted college scholarships to a number of past IMA Contest participants and plan on continuing to do so in the future. However, as teachers, we realized that these extremely gifted students are the exception and not he rule. The average student tends to be much younger and struggles with the requirements of weekly lessons. However, we each have those students who, no matter their talent or ability, are dedicated, have a love for music, and a strong desire to learn. These are the students who make teaching so rewarding and enjoyable. It is heartbreaking when such a student is forced to
discontinue private instruction because of an overwhelming financial burden on the family. Therefore, in an effort to help just such situations, the IMA has established a grant program to give temporary financial support to dedicated students, regardless of age or ability, who would otherwise have to discontinue private instruction for catastrophic financial reasons. If this program is going to be successful, a teacher would have to feel strongly enough about a particular student to be willing to accept a reduced tuition rate for a set length of time. This stipulation would hopefully prevent the program from being abused, singling out those students in which music is such an important part of their lives yet who are in desperate financial need.

Criteria for Awarding of I.M.A. SCHOLARSHIPS

• Applicant must be sponsored (recommended) by an I.M.A. member.


• Applicant must be between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-one (21) years of age.


• Applicant must complete all questions on the official application form in order to be considered. Incomplete application forms will be refused.


• Applicant must be a current resident of the State of Illinois for one year or more.


• The applicant must be currently involved with, or have been involved with, the I.M.A. contest within the last four years in the capacity of a Contestant of a Volunteer.


• Recipients must have music as their Major or Minor course of study. Written documentation from the Educational Institution at which the student has been accepted must accompany the application.


• Applicants must have a current grade average of "B" or above in their last academic semester. Exceptions will be considered. Explain on your application why they should be considered.


• A personal interview will be required. You will be judged on your resume, financial need, extracurricular activities, performance audition, and your major or minor course of study.


• Applicants may be required to pass a basic theory exam.


• As part of the final qualification, the applicant will be required to audition before the Scholarship Committee, or at a general membership meeting of the I.M.A.


• There will be approximately 15 minutes allowed for a warm-up.


• Applicant will be given 20 minutes for audition time. At least one piece must be memorized.


• One copy of each piece to be performed must be made available to the Scholarship committee at the time of the audition.