Music Scholarships

We’re excited to announce our Marching Into Success Band Scholarship for new students attending one of our Commonwealth University campuses. Awards are $1,000 Renewable Scholarships* for those participating in Marching Bands and Concert Bands.

*A limited number of scholarships can be offered and require Band Director approval. To apply, please see your application portal.

Learn More

The Department of Music awards scholarships ranging from $250 to $3000 to freshmen whose audition on their major instrument or voice is ranked as outstanding. These awards come from a variety of sources and are in addition to any other financial/academic offers the university may make based on academic success and/or financial need. All scholarships in music require a formal audition. Students who audition prior to the last audition date in February of the current year qualify for consideration of a music department scholarship. Some music scholarships require an application through the Mansfield Foundation, and we encourage all prospective students who audition to complete this form.

In addition, many of the scholarships listed have specific criteria which must be met before they can be awarded. The music department works to provide renewable scholarships. Though the scholarship amount will generally not change, the pool from which the scholarship is given may change from year to year on renewable awards.

Any student receiving a music scholarship is required to play in a minimum of one active ensemble on their primary instrument as assigned by the department. Additional ensemble assignments may be added at the student’s discretion if desired.

Grace and Margaret Steadman Music Scholarship

Grace was music faculty (including department chair) from 1921-39. Margaret is her daughter.

Bertram Francis Scholarship

Bert Francis was music faculty from 1940-74. This scholarship was established by Bertram Francis' four children in honor of his dedication to the music department at Mansfield University. The children, Lois Bush '59, Jean Cloos '59, Kathleen Gearinger '64, and Wayne Francis '71, are all MU alumni. In 1953 Mr. Francis founded the Concert Wind Ensemble, at that time only the second such ensemble in the nation. Mr. Francis always displayed a sincere interest and concern for students. Through this scholarship we recognize his wide and renowned service to Mansfield and music.

Criteria: Freshman, instrumental music major. 3.0 GPA or better in high school. Preference toward PA students. Financial considerations may be considered.

Christine Lewis Music Scholarship

Christine Lewis taught at Mansfield University from 1946-70. This scholarship is presented in incoming students majoring in music. One award is given to a recipient concentrating in piano, and the remaining award is given to an undesignated music major.

John Baynes String Scholarship

Dr. John H. Baynes, 1940 graduate, faculty from 1947-79, and chairman of the Music Department from 1966-75. The recipient is chosen by the string faculty.

Eugene Jones Scholarship

Given in memory of Eugene Jones, voice professor and choral director from 1956-1983. Awarded to incoming music majors with voice as their primary instrument. Renewable contingent on:

• remaining a music major
• maintaining a 3.0 average
• recommendations from ensemble director and applied teacher

David Dick Memorial Award

Given in memory of David J. Dick, voice professor and concert choir director at Mansfield from 1966-1987, to a junior in the Music Education or Vocal Performance curriculum for their senior year. Criteria for the award:

• Must possess superior performing and/or choral conducting ability without regard to financial need.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the entire academic year.
• Must have and maintain a 3.0 QPA in music.
• Must have recommendations from teacher of choral conducting and/or voice teacher.
• Must have completed two semesters in Concert Choir.

Richard L. Kemper and Kurt E. Hider Double Reed Scholarship

Both Richard (double reeds) and Marjorie (piano class, music education) Kemper taught at Mansfield from 1965-88. Kurt Hider (oboe) graduated in 1976. This scholarship is presented to an entering freshman music major with concentration in oboe or bassoon.

Richard N. and Doris M. Talbot Music Scholarship

Dick Talbot taught percussion, marching and symphonic band, and founded the music business degree from 1967-91. This scholarship is available to an incoming freshman instrumental music major. Recipient must perform in the marching band in the fall and an instrumental performance organization in the spring of their freshman year at MU. Applicant must have a high school GPA of 3.0 and have performed in their high school band for four consecutive years. To apply for this scholarship please download the application.

Dr. Edwin Zdzinski Scholarship

Dr. Zdzinski taught violin, viola, orchestra from 1966-01, and served as department chair (1981-84). This scholarship is presented to a full-time music student with junior status in Music Education. The award will be granted during the senior year. Must have 3.0 GPA and recommendations from instrumental conducting faculty.

Edward Brown Memorial Scholarship

In honor of Edward Brown, music faculty from 1971 - 1998. Criteria for the award:

• Upperclass student
• Excels in music theory
• Preference given to pianist

Isabel Ochsner Choral Accompanying Scholarship

Isabel Ochsner (1913-2005) was the mother of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler (music faculty 1990-present). This scholarship was established by Drs. Dettwiler and Jürgen Thym. Isabel Ochsner shared her many talents and interests with her many piano and organ students and served as pipe organist for 37 years at Trinity United Methodist Church in Freeport, Illinois.

Jack Wilcox Musical Theatre Scholarship

The Jack M. Wilcox Musical Theatre Scholarship, established in 2009 and endowed in 2010, is used to support students involved in Musical Theatre. Recipients are selected on the basis of their musical, theatrical and stagecraft contributions to music theatre productions at Mansfield.

This memorial scholarship recognizes the contribution of voice professor Jack Wilcox (1956-1988) as the person responsible for bringing the Broadway musical genre to Mansfield University. Beginning in 1958, Wilcox staged up to three musicals each year in Straughn Auditorium, one of which was produced and performed by campers, college students and community members during the six-week high school Summer Music Camp.

Kathryn McInroy Smith (1905) and Alice Smith Bailey (1932) Scholarships

Established by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Arden D. Smith in honor of his mother and sister, both music majors at Mansfield.

Kreuscher Scholarships

Founded by 1906 alumna, Jean Kreuscher, to award talented musicians. Several scholarship awards are given yearly to incoming Freshmen and to upper class students.

Darrin ('34) - Dye Scholarship

Given in memory of David D. Dye to an incoming freshman music major.

Ada Mae Saxton ('53) Music Scholarship

This scholarship is presented to an entering freshman majoring in music. The recipient must be in the top 20% of their senior high school class, obtain a minimum SAT of 1100, obtain a minimum score of 80 on the Theory Placement test and perform an outstanding audition. This is a renewable award.

Howeard and Olynda Chaffee ('57) Smith Endowed Music Fund

Criteria governing the use of the funds will be determined by the Director of Choral Activities and the Music Department Chair. The funds can be used to a) help with travel costs of choral groups, and/or b) provide scholarship assistance to vocal students.

Robert Garofalo ('60) Music Scholarship

Rhoda Bartell (1948-67) Music Award

This award was founded in memory for Rhoda Bartell, a bassoon major in the class of 1968. The student receiving the award will be selected by the Music Department Scholarship Committee based on the recommendations of the double reed teacher.

• Must be an entering student with a double reed major.
• Must be a full time student and maintain a minimum 2.5 Q.P.A.
• Must excel in performance as an oboist or bassoonist.
• Must meet all requirements of the Admissions Office and the Music Department of Mansfield University.

Alexander E. Sidorowicz ('69) Scholarship

Dean and Elizabeth Phillips Scholarship

Given by their daughter Sara ('74). Criteria: Preference will be given to a student from Lycoming County. Will be renewable if the student maintains 3.0 GPA. Preference given to instrumentalist.

Carl D. Ruck ('80) Music Scholarship

The purpose of the fund is to provide funding for scholarship(s) for a junior student majoring in music at Mansfield University who meet the stated selection criteria and to assist in efforts to retain the highest quality of student. The scholarship will be given to an instrumentalist, vocalist, keyboard, performance, or music education major. This award may be renewed if recipient maintains criteria.

Criteria for the award:

• Overall grade point average of 3.6. SAT scores of 1150 or better.
• Preference given to residents of Luzerne County, then PA residents of any county.
• Grades of B or better in all Music Theory and History courses.
• Grades of B or better in major applied instrument or voice and recommendation from professor.
• Service to the community through performance off campus, participation in service organizations and projects, community outreach, etc. Suggested a minimum of 15 hours of service to be provided and logged by the student and submitted to the music department scholarship committee.

Richard Swartz ('81) Award

Founded in memory of Richard Swartz, a bassoon major in the Class 1981, the award is given to an outstanding double reed major. The woodwind faculty will select the recipient considering merit, not need. Criteria for the award:

• Must be an oboe or bassoon major and may be in any music curriculum.
• Must have completed a full academic year of study at Mansfield.
• Must be a full-time undergraduate student for a full academic year after receiving the award.
• Must excel in bassoon or oboe.
• Must have at least a 3.00 QPA.

Linda Dix Lee and Lewis B. Lee Music Education Scholarship

Mr. Lee was a long-time member of the MU Council of Trustees including its chair. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are both first generation to attend college. Because Mrs. Lee was from a small high school lacking in music instruction, she had to learn to read music on her own to qualify to enter MU. Criteria for the award: a full-time upper-class student majoring in Music Education with interest in voice or piano.

Michael and Peggy Lane Music Scholarship

Michael Lane was a former Mansfield University Provost. He and his wife Peggy were members of the Festival Chorus.

Louise C. McConnell Scholarship

Established by Joe and Susan McConnell in honor of their daughter, a wonderful singer who died in 1994 of breast cancer at age 47. Although she received no formal training in voice, Louise had a natural talent for many styles including classical, jazz and music of 20th century composers. Louise's grandfather was a graduate of Mansfield Normal School with the class of 1912. Criteria for the award:

• Upperclass woman,
• By audition
• Renewed (with no audition) if other criteria are maintained (3.0 GPA, full-time student, member of Concert Choir).

Presser Foundation Award

This award is made to a student demonstrating excellence in academics and music. The student selected will be selected during their junior year as the Mansfield University Presser Scholar for the following academic year. Criteria for the award:

• The winner must excel in applied music and academic subjects with at least a 3.0 QPA.
• The award is based on merit, not need.
• The student must be a full-time student for a full academic year after receiving the award.

We’re excited to announce our Marching Into Success Band Scholarship for new students attending one of our Commonwealth University campuses. Awards are $1,000 Renewable Scholarships* for those participating in Marching Bands and Concert Bands.

*A limited number of scholarships can be offered and require Band Director approval. To apply, please see your application portal.

We’re excited to announce our Marching Into Success Band Scholarship for new students attending one of our Commonwealth University campuses. Awards are $1,000 Renewable Scholarships* for those participating in Marching Bands and Concert Bands.

*A limited number of scholarships can be offered and require Band Director approval. To apply, please see your application portal.

Learn More