Talent Grants
Music Talent Grants
Southern Virginia University is deeply committed to supporting the fine and performing arts in a manner that rewards dedication and perseverance in addition to the natural blessings of gifted performance. The university offers music talent grants ranging from $500 to $2000 in the areas of vocal and instrumental performance, which are awarded to students exhibiting exceptional ability, preparation and promise.
Students awarded a talent grant in music (maximum of four years), must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at Southern Virginia University in good academic standing, maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Enroll in at least one performing ensemble that corresponds to the area of the grant award (instrumental or vocal) each semester. Please refer to the Music Performing Ensembles descriptions for specific information on each ensemble.
Vocal: Audition for Chamber Choir or Bella Voce Women’s Choir, enroll if accepted and achieve a grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in the class.
Instrumental: Enroll in and participate fully in at least one of the following: orchestra, concert band or Pep Band, and achieve a grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in the class.
Piano: Accept accompanying duties as assigned by the performing arts area faculty. This may include but is not limited to choirs, courses, theater or music performances, devotionals and forums.
Students intending to major or minor in music must enroll in private instruction (Applied Music 148R, 149R, 248R, 249R, 348R or 349R) for your instrument each semester and achieve a grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in the course. A course fee is required for applied music courses. Additional needs-based scholarship aid is available for qualifying music majors and minors.
Application Procedure:
- Submit a brief narrative describing your experiences and training, as well as future goals in the performance of music.
- Submit one letter of recommendation from a private music instructor or ensemble director acquainted with your musical abilities.
- If you cannot visit Southern Virginia for a live audition, please submit a CD (preferred), cassette tape, videotape or DVD with two brief musical selections. These selections should demonstrate your musical abilities and should be no longer than five minutes each. Sections of longer pieces would also be appropriate. The recording must be clearly labeled, and have sufficient quality that the instrument and its tone colors are easily heard, although a professional recording is not required.
- Instrumental applicants should perform two selections from the standard solo repertoire. One should demonstrate technical proficiency and the other tone. Wind and brass players must submit two scales, one major and one minor, two octaves each. String players must submit two scales, one major and one minor, three octaves each.
- Vocal applicants should sing two art songs or arias. Popular genres (including Church songs) or Broadway selections will not be considered for audition for a talent grant.
- Application materials will not be returned but will become the property of Southern Virginia University and will be placed on file in the Music Archives.
- Submit materials to:
- Dr. La Rae Carter
Southern Virginia University
One University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416
Meridyth Kidd Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship
Meridyth Kidd possessed a deep love of the arts. She loved to paint, sketch, play the piano and guitar and compose Christian music and lyrics. An accomplished actress, Meridyth also wrote poetry and children's stories. At the time of her death in March 2004, she was writing a novel. To honor Meridyth and her memory, her parents, Linda and Ron Jones, sponsor three scholarships (maximum $5,000) for rising juniors and seniors in the fine arts. One is awarded to a music student, one to a visual arts student and one to a theatre arts student.
For more information on how to apply, contact LaRae Carter at 540-261-8402 or email larae.carter@svu.edu.