Music Scholarships & Financial Aid

Financial assistance may come from several different sources. Merit scholarships and Jordan College of the Arts Awards are offered to students who demonstrate a strong record of academic excellence in high school or display promise in the performing arts. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about financial aid options.

For Music majors:

• Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) Awards in music are merit-based awards available for music majors only. Students will be considered for a JCA Award in music during their audition for admittance into the School of Music. Auditions must be completed prior to February 20 for JCA Award consideration. Notification of any award available to the student will be communicated in mid-March.

For questions or additional information, contact Amy Barnes, Associate Director of Recruitment, Jordan College of the Arts at 317-940-9656 or atbarnes@butler.edu.

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A number of scholarships (generally up to $2000 per year) are available for non-music majors interested in participating in major choral and instrumental ensembles through the School of Music.  Eligible ensembles include:

• Butler Symphony Orchestra
• Butler University Wind Ensemble
• Butler University Symphonic Band
• Butler Chorale
• University Choir
• Jazz Ensemble

Awards are renewable up to seven (7) semesters as long as the student maintains good academic and musical standing at Butler.  Awards are based upon musicianship, academic record, and ensemble needs in the School of Music. An audition is required. Continued eligibility for Ensemble Participation Scholarships requires registration in the ensemble and secondary-level applied music lessons (cannot be taken P/F or for non-credit).  A “B” or higher is required for both ensemble and lessons to remain in good standing.

To be considered for an Ensemble Participation Scholarship (EPS):

A limited number of scholarships (up to $2000 per year) are available for non-music majors interested in participating in major choral and instrumental ensembles through the School of Music. An audition is required for scholarship consideration, see more information below. Awards are renewable up to seven (7) semesters as long as the student maintains good academic and musical standing at Butler. Awards are based upon musicianship as demonstrated during the audition, academic record, and ensemble needs in the School of Music. Continued eligibility for Ensemble Participation Scholarships requires registration in the appropriate ensemble and secondary-level applied music lessons as outlined in the scholarship offer (cannot be taken P/F or for non-credit).  A “B” or higher is required for both ensemble and lessons to remain in good standing.

Eligible ensembles include:

• Butler Symphony Orchestra
• Butler University Wind Ensemble
• Butler University Symphonic Band
• University Chorale
• University Choir
• Jazz Ensemble (by special permission)

1. Record your audition and upload to a file sharing service such as YouTube, GoogleDrive, Dropbox, etc. Audition requirements are as follows:
   • Vocalists: solo repertoire of your choice OR “America the Beautiful”. Piano accompaniment is preferred; you may use an accompaniment track.
   • Instrumentalists: solo repertoire of your choice. Percussionists should prepare a solo piece of repertoire on a mallet instrument as well as demonstrate at least two scales on mallets. If possible, please also demonstrate a sampling of snare rudiments (you may use a snare practice pad for this).
2. Submit the audition recording link via the EPS Audition Form no later than February 16, 2024.
3. Complete a Sight-Reading Appointment by February 22, 2024 (not required for strings or percussion). You will be contacted by the School of Music office to schedule this appointment approximately one week after submitting your audition. See Sight-Reading Appointment details below:
   • At your appointment start time, you will receive an email from the School of Music office (music@butler.edu) with a short, sight-reading exercise.
   • Upon receiving the email, you will have 15 minutes to study the exercise, video-record yourself playing/singing the exercise, and submit via email.
4. Audition results will be communicated to all students in mid-March via email. NOTE: Only students who are admitted to Butler University are eligible to receive an EPS.

Submit your EPS audition video by February 16, 2024!

Questions? Email music@butler.edu or call 317-940-9065

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