Financial Aid
Thank you for your interest in music study at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. We are proud of the quality and diversity of opportunities we offer to music students. There are two forms of aid administered by the Music Department available to students enrolled in UALR music programs. Those programs are scholarships and grants-in-aid. Each are administered separately.
Scholarship Information
All applicants for an undergraduate degree who wish to be considered for a Music Department Scholarship are encouraged to audition live, or submit a recorded audition. Consult the area coordinator for your area of performance studies (voice, guitar, piano, woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings) for specific repertoire and technique guidelines for auditions. In general, students should prepare two contrasting pieces representing your highest level of musical achievement for scholarship consideration. Memorized performance of at least one of the two selections is recommended; memorized performance of both audition selections is preferred.
Priority for scholarship consideration is given to music majors. Music minors are also eligible to apply. Scholarship award conditions include meeting academic requirements and enrollment requirements, and also meeting musical performance standards as part of formal music study at UALR. Continuation of a music scholarship award is dependent upon affirmative evaluation of student work by UALR music faculty, maintaining a good college GPA, fulfilling public performance requirements, and making progress in a degree program at UALR.
Audition Guidelines:
A live or recorded audition is required for consideration for a Departmental Scholarship.
The live auditions are scheduled twice a year, in fall and spring on the UALR campus in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Building. This year, scholarship auditions are October 23, 2009 and February 26, 2010. Students submitting a taped audition should also adhere to the audition dates and make sure the tape arrives at UALR by the audition deadline. Specific audition times will be given to students after a completed application is submitted.
You will need to submit a completed departmental scholarship application form prior to your audition. The form requests both student academic qualifications and musical qualifications. You may download the Departmental Scholarship Application PDF by clicking on the following link:
Please note that the application form requests that you list the two selections you have prepared for your audition performance. Specify the titles and the composers. Print the form and mail it to the music office, or you can e-mail the following information to us, to receive a departmental scholarship application form in the mail:
Your Name
Complete mailing address
Telephone number
Your instrument:
Any particular Music Ensemble(s) you would like to audition for: Concert Choir, Gospel Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band/Wind Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Community Orchestra
Important:
A Scholarship Application Form must be completed and returned to the address specified on the top of the application form prior to the date on which you plan to audition. If you have questions, contact the Music Department for further information, (501) 569-3294.
Grants-in-Aid Information
Grants-in-aid are available to students of any academic major for participation in select ensembles, and are in addition to departmental scholarships. Funds from these two sources can often be paired, creating a larger total financial opportunity for the student.
Concert Choir: Grants up to $600 per semester are available to students of any academic major upon admission to the Concert Choir ensemble. Contact Dr. Bevan Keating at (501) 569-3499 or e-mail btkeating@ualr.edu.
Opera Performance: Grants up to $600 per semester are available to students of any academic major upon admission to the UALR Opera Performance ensemble. Contact Prof. Edward J. Crafts, Director of Opera Studies at (501) 569-3033 or e-mail ejcrafts@ualr.edu.
Gospel Chorale: The Gospel Chorale accepts students of any academic major, offering grants up to $500.00 per semester for qualified students. Contact Dr. Sharon Young at (501) 569-8409 or e-mail sxyoung@ualr.edu.
Trojan Pep Band: The Band performs at all home basketball games, with the Wind Ensemble presenting public performances in the fall and winter on campus. Membership is open to students of any major upon audition, and offers grants up to $550.00 per semester. Contact Mr. Charles Law at (501) 569-3294 or e-mail cplaw@ualr.edu. Additional information regarding our Percussion Ensembles is also available from Mr. Law.
Students holding grants are expected to maintain an appropriate grade point level. Renewal of grants is based on satisfactory review of student participation and academic standing.
Please note: Ensemble auditions and ensemble grants-in-aid are administered separately from scholarship auditions.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We welcome your involvement in our program! Dr. Bevan Keating (Coordinator of Vocal Studies; Chairperson, Scholarship Committee) (501) 569-3499 or e-mail btkeating@ualr.edu.