Music Scholarships

Each year, Olivet provides numerous scholarship opportunities for talented musicians. Whether you have decided to be a music major or not, Olivet offers all incoming new students the opportunity to audition for music scholarships including voice, band, orchestral instruments, piano and composition.

Student plays piano on Centennial Chapel stage

Standards

  1. Recipients will be selected through live auditions.
  2. Recipients of a voice, instrumental, piano or composition scholarship may continue to receive the scholarship after the freshman year if, and only if, they are a music major.
  3. Recipients must participate in at least one ensemble for each area in which an award is given.
  • Voice: Concert Singers, Orpheus Choir, Show Choir, Gospel Choir, Apollo Choir
  • Instrumental: Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band
  • Keyboard: may serve as accompanists

Auditions

Each student will be heard by a committee of faculty members. Since live auditions provide the committee with more information, it is in the best interest of the student to audition in person rather than submit a recorded performance.

Repertoire

Literature used at state Solo and Ensemble contests would be appropriate for this audition.

  • Voice: two contrasting songs, memorization recommended (foreign language is NOT necessary. If you do not sing proficiently in a foreign language, sing in English)
    Instrumental: two classical solo pieces of contrasting style from standard literature
  • Keyboard: two classical solo selections of contrasting styles, memorization recommended
  • Theory/Composition: examples of original compositions, hand-written or computer generated. Performance of the work recorded on a CD is helpful. Students should also prepare to audition with a prepared piece for voice, piano, or instrument.
  • Sight reading will be included for ALL instrumental applicants.
  • Voice applicants should prepare major and minor scales and triads.
  • A basic theory and musicianship examination will be given to ALL applicants.
    The School of Music will not be responsible for providing an accompanist for instrumental auditions. Please have your accompanist attend the audition with you or prepare your piece without accompaniment. A staff accompanist will be available for vocal auditions. No pre-recorded accompaniments.

Additional Documents

We will need the following information to complete the audition process:

  • A list of all high school and church music activities, high school honors, citation or musical achievements is to be brought with you and turned in on your audition date.
  • Two letters of recommendation should be sent to the attention of Dr. Don Reddick, Dean, School of Music, ONU Box 6044, One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914. The letters should be sent by qualified musicians such as your high school band/choir/orchestra director, private teacher, or others who are familiar with your abilities.

Audition Results

Notification will be sent by mail in late April. All communication concerning scholarships should be addressed to: Dr. Don Reddick, Dean, School of Music, ONU Box 6044, One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.

Music Scholarships

Image of concert in Centennial Chapel

University Orchestra Strings Scholarship

String instrument (only) players who are new participants in the Olivet orchestra will receive a scholarship for each full year they are in the orchestra. Orchestra members are required to audition for Dr. Neal Woodruff, director of the University Orchestra, each year. All string instrument scholarship recipients are required to enroll in private lessons at Olivet.

Three students smiling in marching band

ONU Marching/Concert Band Scholarship

Each new student joining the Olivet Marching, Concert/Pep Band will receive a scholarship for a full year of participation in the ONU Band Program. The scholarship covers two parts of the Band Program – marching band/color guard portion (Fall) and concert/pep band portion (Spring). All band scholarship recipients are required to enroll in private lessons at Olivet.

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