Rather than perform in person, students are once again applying for a competitive music scholarship via video. Chloe Sawall from Appleton East High School records a YouTube audition for a scholarship through the Community Foundation. She is one of two Miller Music Education Scholarship awardees in 2020.

Each year the Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships to students pursuing their academic dreams, and the deadline to make those dreams come true is quickly approaching! March 1 is the deadline for most of our online applications, so now is the time to apply for that free tuition money.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS AND APPLY HERE.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have more than $1 million in scholarships available each year to students from 60 schools, available for high school seniors, college and nontraditional students and K-12 art and music camps and lessons.

In 2020, 434 students received scholarships totaling $1.24 million, including music scholarships, which eligible students usually audition for in person before a committee. COVID-19 changed that process last year, and students will once again find creative ways to audition safely this year via social media.

Scholarship winner Hayden Hoffman

The Miller Family Music Education Scholarship is one of our most competitive scholarships within the Community Foundation. The anonymous donor awards up to $25,000 a year for up to four years, making the total award amount of up to $100,000. It’s given to a graduating senior residing in the Fox Cities or Door County who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education or performance.

Last year 18 students students demonstrated their talent by auditioning via YouTube videos.

“The Miller Music Education Scholarship committee was faced with a difficult situation of having no in-person auditions due to social distancing restrictions, so we asked the students to be creative and submit videos of their performances,” says Judy Kantelberg, representative for the Miller Music Education Scholarship. “Each student embraced the challenge and did an excellent job showcasing their talents!”

Two recipients were selected in 2020: Chloe Sawall from Appleton East High School and Hayden Hoffman from Gibraltar High School in Fish Creek.

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Sawall’s eight-minute audition included playing the violin and guitar, and a vocal piece. She attends UW-Eau Claire and plans to become a music educator in Fox Valley someday.

“I want to inspire the kids who were once my age, just like my music educators in the Valley inspired me,” Sawall says. “I am beyond excited and grateful to have been selected for this scholarship. My concerns of how I was going to afford this are melting away.”

For Hoffman, performing in musicals is his passion. His audition included video segments from the stage productions he has performed throughout high school. “I am attending UW-Stevens Point,” Hoffman says. “Thanks to this scholarship I will be able to pursue a degree in musical theater.”

Through the generosity of people, businesses and organizations passionate about helping students achieve their education dreams, we have more than $1 million in scholarships available each year to students from 60 schools, available for high school seniors, college and nontraditional students and K-12 art and music camps and lessons.  See the Scholarship Recipient List for 2020 – 21, and apply online for scholarships here.