Scholarships and Prizes

Presidential Scholars in the Arts - Music

Open to entering students only. These annual awards provide $15,000 in tuition remission, renewable for four years. Recipients of these awards need not major in music, but must minor in music, register each semester for private lessons, and participate in ensemble classes in the performing medium for which the scholarship was awarded. Awards will be based on auditions to be held on February 9-10, 2013. Application is required (PSA Audition Form). Please see the Admissions' PSA Website for more information on applying for this scholarship.

For more information on how to apply please see the PSA application instructions. For more information on the scholarship, please see the PSA Audition Information and the PSA FAQ. For all questions or inquiries, please contact the main office at gwmusic@gwu.edu or 202-994-6245.

To find out information about the other PSA scholarships offered, please visit the Departments' website: 
Theater & Dance

Audition requirements are as follows:

Instrumentalists: Three contrasting selections that demonstrate musicality and technical proficiency. Be prepared to play major, minor and chromatic scales throughout the range of the instrument and to sight-read. Please bring three (3) photocopies of your music for the audition panel.

Pianists: Three selections from different style periods, including one lyrical piece; also be prepared to play major/minor scales and arpeggios and to sight-read.

Vocalists: Three selections, all to be sung from memory. Two selections must be from the classical/art music repertoire, of which one must be in a foreign language. One selection may be from the pop/jazz/musical theatre repertoire. All selections must be accompanied; a departmental accompanist will be provided. You will be asked to sight-read tonal and rhythm exercises.

Accompaniment: The Department of Music will supply a professional accompanist for all voice applicants. All music for departmental accompanists must be received at least one week prior to the audition. If you send photocopies, please make sure all the music has fit on the page! Please do not fax photocopies of your music to us. Every attempt will be made to allow some rehearsal/discussion time with the department-supplied accompanist, but this cannot be guaranteed. For all other instruments, we discourage the use of an accompanist. Pre-recorded accompaniments will not be allowed except for jazz auditions.

While live auditions are strongly recommended, a high-quality DVD following the requirements listed above will be accepted. Contact the Department of Music for further details.

George Steiner Scholarship in Music

Awarded to a music student selected by the department faculty. Awarded annually and renewable.

University Band Award

Open to any member of the University Band by audition. Recipients of these awards must participate in ensemble activities prescribed by the Director of Bands. Awards range form $500 to $1500 per semester and are renewable. For further information, contact Prof. Benno P. Fritz, Director of Bands.

Barry Manilow Endowed Prize in Music

Awarded annually to a graduating senior whose outstanding record and contributions to the department's programs generally merit such consideration.

Harmon Choral Prize

Established in 1986 in memory of Dr. Robert H. Harmon, Director of Choral Activities from 1924 to 1964, by his brother Bishop Nolan Harmon, the Harmon Choral Associates, and the Department of Music. Awarded annually to one or two students who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program.