Harding - Music - Scholarships

Departmental Scholarships

The Department of Music gives annual scholarship awards to music majors, based on performance ability and professional promise. Departmental scholarship award contracts are for four years and require continuance of the major, academic progress, and ensemble participation.

Scholarships range from $4,000 to a maximum of $16,000 and are divided equally over four years (eight semesters).

Scholarship Information

If you would like to audition for a music scholarship, contact the department at music@harding.edu or 501-279-4343. We'll answer your questions and tell you what you need to know.

Music Scholarship Audition Form.pdf

A significant amount of our scholarship fund was established by Jacquelin Emogene Enochs in memory of her mother, Lois Durbin Enochs.

Ensemble Scholarships (for all students)

Additional scholarship monies are available to members of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Belles and Beaux, and Good News Singers. These awards are available to non-majors as well as majors. Contact the ensemble directors to find out about these scholarships.

University Scholarships

You need to know about Harding's general scholarship information. Contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible in order to obtain vital information about federal, state, and university scholarships, grants and loan funds.

Music scholarships may be combined with other forms of financial aid in an amount not to exceed the cost of full tuition.

Auditions

Most auditions take place on the Friday before Easter, during Harding's Spring Sing weekend, but auditions can also be arranged at other times. We'll tell you what sort of music to prepare; you'll send your music in advance and warm up before your audition with your accompanist (we can provide your accompanist).

After you sing or play all or part of your prepared music (we'll help you decide), we'll do a few additional things, including sightreading and singing back some pitches played to you. Then we'll chat briefly about your background and career plans.

In addition to your audition, you will also take a brief theory exam and a piano skills assessment while you are on campus.

Who may audition?

Freshman and transfer students who are entering Harding for the first time in the fall semester and who have applied for admission to the university are eligible.

Where will auditions be held?

Auditions will take place in the music wing of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Music and Communication on the south side of the university campus. Please report to the Music Office upon arrival (M100) to check in with the Music Office Secretary.

What should I wear?

We expect students to be dressed well for their audition. Dress as you would if you were performing in a concert. Jeans are not appropriate but slacks or a skirt/dress are. Think along the lines of Sunday clothes or business dress.

What kind of compositions should I perform?

Choose your primary performance area:

KEYBOARD (piano) - the first movement of a sonata or sonatina AND one classical piece from the 19th or 20th centry
INSTRUMENTAL (winds, strings, percussion) - two works of contrasting nature, or two contrasting movements from a solo concerto or sonata, with a minimum difficulty level of that of a standard solo from the state level solo list in your home state.
VOCAL - one classical song in English AND one art song in Italian, German or French

If you have questions or concerns as to the appropriateness of your audition material, ask your area coordinator well before your audition. Inappropriate audition material may result in a lower evaluation by the music faculty. We want you to do your best.

Do you perform in more than one area? See below!

If I can perform in more than one area, what should I do?

Audition for any area in which you expect to participate in college. We appreciate musicians who are versatile and multi-talented. If you wish to audition in more than one area, prepare for each area compositions which best demonstrate your skill. Consult with your primary area coordinator to confirm your audition choices.

What about an accompanist?

You may bring your own accompanist, or Harding will provide one at your request and at no charge to you. Please let us know on your audition form if you are bringing an accompanist. If you wish to use a Harding accompanist, copies of your music must reach the music department three weeks in advance of your audition. Please note: Even though you have sent copies in advance, you must bring the original music to your audition.

When will I know the results?

Scholarship contracts will be mailed in the week following the Spring Sing audition date (the week after Easter).

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