Yavapai Symphony Association Music Scholarship Award

The mission of the award is to provide high-quality classical music performances and to develop, promote, and enhance classical music appreciation in Yavapai County.

The Association will achieve a portion of that Mission by:

  • Developing revenue streams in support of music scholarships for the advancement of classical music appreciation and talent development for young musicians.

To this end, the Music Scholarship Award has been established as an annual project of the Association to be funded from annual accumulated earnings from the Endowment Fund of the Association.

The annual accumulated earnings of the Endowment Fund on January 1 of each year shall determine the amount of funds available for award by the Scholarship Music Award Committee.

In the event in any year no scholarship funds are awarded, the earned income shall be applied to the principal of the Endowment Fund and not rolled into a subsequent year in accordance with the resolution establishing the Endowment Fund.

Application Pre-requisites

Consistent with the Mission Statement, applicants for awards shall be limited to residents of Yavapai County (including the city of Sedona). Applicants shall be on track to graduate from accredited secondary schools as determined by the State of Arizona.

Applicants, as part of the application process, will have professed an interest and commitment to pursuing a professional music career as a musical performer, certificated music educator or music therapist.

Preferential consideration will be given applicants with strong interest in classical music.

Scholarship Terms

Scholarship awards shall have a term of one (1) year with the option for recipients to reapply in subsequent years. There may be multiple recipients in any year. Awards may not be of equal value. The Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee shall determine the amount of any individual award. Awards shall be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

  • Quality of application
  • Financial need
  • Recommendation(s) from persons who are acknowledged as having professional musical knowledge or experience
  • Amount and availability of funds
  • Recommendation of the Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee of the YSA

Scholarship Recommendation Committee

The Executive Committee of the at the beginning of each concert season shall appoint a Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee of three (3) including:

  • President,
  • 1 member of Board of Directors
  • 1 non-board member, preferably a member with a music education or music performance background; however, such member may not have a conflict of interest by being involved in an applicant’s application

Scholarship Timetable & Deadlines

The Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee shall be responsible for announcing and publicizing the application – recommendation timetable and deadlines as follows:

  • October 1 – notify all school districts and identified music education programs and teachers of application/award process
  • February 1 – applications are due for committee review
  • March – formal review of applications by the Schloarship Recommendation Committee
  • April Board Meeting – Committee makes recommendations to full Board of YSA
  • Final concert of the season – Scholarship award winners are announced

Intent of the Scholarship

It is the intent of the that award funds be used to offset the cost of higher education, preferably at an accredited degree granting institution or a music education program approved by the Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee. Scholarship funds are not to be used for purchase of instruments or other musical equipment.

Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the financial aid office of the recipient’s accredited institution. It is the responsibility of the award winner to notify the once final acceptance and institutional commitment has been made.

It is the responsibility of each scholarship recipient to report gift income, if applicable, for tax purposes.

Application Procedures

Applicants shall send a Letter of Application to:

Yavapai Symphony Association

Attn: Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee
PO Box 2333, Prescott,  AZ 86302

The typewritten letter should contain pertinent contact information about the applicant and address the following points:

  • music interests, experience and accomplishments to date
  • academic history to date; the committee may request an up-to-date transcript
  • extra -curricular activities to date
  • higher education plans and career goals
  • financial need
  • progress toward a degree (renewal apps only)
  • other points and “items of interest” to support the request for scholarship

Applicants should have two (2) letters of recommendation, with at least one from a music professional (e.g., a performer or an educator) sent directly to the Scholarship Award Recommendation Committee of the at the address noted above.

Application Deadline: February 1