Scholarships
In addition to TCU’s full range of scholarships, the College of Fine Arts offers competitive scholarships for music majors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Assistantships, including up to full tuition and a stipend, are available for graduate students.
Nordan Scholar, Aubrey Fineout, Class of 2017
For music majors, the School of Music awards numerous scholarships — up to full-tuition awards. Additionally, many TCU students receive both music and academic scholarships. Excellence in composition is recognized each year through the awarding of the Jonathan Durington prize. Under special circumstances, non-music majors might also be considered for scholarship awards based on audition and the specific needs of the performing ensembles.
To be considered for an academic scholarship, complete the standard TCU Undergraduate Student Application and the School of Music online Audition Request Application by February 1, 2021.
Music scholarships, except for Nordan scholarships (explained below), will be considered by live audition until February 27, 2021; applicants must complete the online Audition Request Application before an audition time can be scheduled.
TCU Early Action Program
Music applicants interested in an earlier admission response are strongly encouraged to complete the TCU application procedures above before the TCU Early Action deadline of November 1, 2020. TCU Early Action provides application review and nonbinding university notification by January 1, 2021, while allowing applicants to decide by May 1, 2021 (national candidate reply date) whether or not to attend TCU. TCU School of Music admission notification will be sent no later than April 1, 2021.
Please note: Final admission into the TCU School of Music as a music major will not be considered until the performance audition has been completed, all supporting materials have been submitted and the student has been fully admitted to TCU.
Nordan Young Artist Award Scholarship
The Nordan Young Artist Award is an exclusive scholarship, open to entering first-year vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers of superior talent, who have chosen to major in music. Nordan winners receive a four-year, full tuition award.
A completed online Audition Request Application must be submitted to the School of Music by December 1. For the Nordan Scholarship Award, you are required to upload a preliminary pre-screening video performance when completing the online application. Specific repertoire requirements are linked on Step 4 for each division area found on the Undergraduate Student Admission page with specific instructions for the Nordan audition.
How to create a quality prescreen media recording.
Following screening, successful applicants will be notified December 21, 2020 by mail of their eligibility to perform during the on-campus auditions.
Nordan auditions will be held at TCU on January 16, 2021, and must be performed in person.
Nordan awardees in music will be considered for full tuition awards provided they submit the Free Application of Financial Student Aid (FAFSA – required for US citizens) and the CSS Profile by March 1, 2021. Visit the TCU Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Students not chosen to participate in the Nordan auditions are encouraged to audition on other January or February audition dates for School of Music acceptance/scholarships or for ensemble scholarship awards in their area of study.
Music applicants interested in an earlier admission response are strongly encouraged to complete both application procedures above before the TCU Early Action deadline of November 1. TCU Early Action combined with the Nordan January 16, 2021 Audition Day ensures a comprehensive admission decision by February 15.
Accompanists
An accompanist will be provided for the Nordan audition by request or you may bring your own. Music must be submitted to the School of Music Office no later than ten days prior to the audition. Prerecorded accompaniments are not permitted.
David Preston – Organ – BM-Church Music
Isaac Chiang – Percussion – BME-Instrumental Concentration
John Dubois – Voice – BM-Vocal Performance
Andrew Vargas – Piano – BM-Piano Performance
Julianne Tai – Piano – Double Major in BM-Piano Performance and Anthropology
Alexander Byrd – Trombone – BME-Instrumental Concentration
Pauline Napier – Percussion – BME-Instrumental Concentration
Marching Band Scholarship
Students participating in the TCU Marching Band will receive a $3,000 scholarship during the fall semester in which they participate. For more information, contact band@tcu.edu or call 817-257-7640.
Graduate Assistantships & Financial Aid
Assistantships are available to qualified, full-time graduate students in the School of Music. Applicants must be admitted to the program, have an outstanding academic record and present favorable recommendations.
Master’s and doctoral applicants will be considered for graduate assistantships as part of their application process. Assistantships provide tuition grants plus stipend and require approximately ten hours of work weekly.
Musicology students are also eligible for the Michael M. Winesanker Scholarship, named for the late distinguished scholar who served the TCU School of Music for more than 40 years.
The deadline for doctoral applications is December 1, and the deadline for master’s applications is February 1.
More Information
For more information about the School of Music admission process or scholarship information, please contact Debbie Alenius, Coordinator of Music Admissions at d.alenius@tcu.edu or call 817-257-4742.