Scholarship Foundation of the Santa Clara County Branch, MTAC
The Scholarship Foundation is a tax-exempt organization of the Santa Clara County Branch of MTAC. The Foundation provides scholarships, awards, and gifts to qualified students in any area of music achievement. It also contributes toward community functions and cultural and educational endeavors in the promotion of music. The Foundation receives funds from the Branch, benefit concerts, and individual contributions. All donations qualify for a tax deduction on individual tax returns.
Recent Scholarship and Award Recipients
We are happy to announce the recipients of scholarships and awards. This year’s recipients are listed here.
Scholarships and Awards
All scholarship and award applicants must complete an online application form for each category in which they are applying, and submit the required videos by uploading them onto YouTube, then submitting the links on the Google form. Make sure your YouTube videos are public or unlisted, not private. We need to access the videos with the links you provide.
Scholarship applicants may apply for one scholarship and they may also apply for one high school senior award. Award applicants may apply for one award only.
Application deadline for scholarships and awards is Sunday, April 30, 2023. Please send letters of recommendation to scholarship@mtacsantaclara.org. Please include the student’s full name and the award they are applying to in the subject line. Please submit all materials by the deadline to be considered for the scholarships and the awards.
Evelyn Heath Scholarship, $600, one recipient. Student must:
Be currently enrolled at SJSU as a sophomore, junior or senior piano major (previous winners are not eligible, student need not be studying with an MTAC teacher)
Send two written recommendation letters, one from the private teacher and one from a person in the community who knows the applicant’s musical ability
Outstanding High School Senior Performance Award, $400, up to two recipients. Student must:
Have studied music, instrumental or vocal with a member/s of the MTAC Santa Clara County Branch at least three years including the senior year
Attend a High School in Santa Clara County
Have participated in a MTAC State sponsored program such as CM Panel recitals, CM Master Classes, Young Artist Guild, VOCE, Solo and Concerto competitions
Have participated in Branch Student Recital, a Certificate of Merit Honors Recital or a State Convention Recital within the last two years of high school
Present a live performance evaluation with two memorized pieces of advanced literature
Submit a written recommendation from the private music teacher
Outstanding High School Senior Composer Award, $300, up to two recipients. Student must
Have studied music and composition with a member of the MTAC Santa Clara County Branch at least three years of high school including the senior year
Attend a high school in Santa Clara County
Have participated in a Branch or State Composers Today Recital
Have participated in high school, religious, community, musical soloist appearances, arranging, composing, conducting and/or other creative musical activities
Present manuscripts and an un-edited online video link of two original compositions by the application deadline
Submit two written recommendation letters, one from the private music teacher and one from a person confirming composition skills
Outstanding High School Senior Improvisation Award, $300, up to two recipients. Student must:
Have studied music and improvisation, instrumental or vocal, at least three years including the senior year with a member/s of the MTAC Santa Clara County Branch
Attend a high school in Santa Clara County
Have appeared in at least one Branch Improvisation Recital or a State Convention Improvisation Recital
Have participated in high school music ensembles (orchestra, band, choir, etc.), religious or community groups using musical improvisation, and/or other creative musical activities
Present a live (audition) of one prepared improvisation and one judge’s choice improvisation for a panel of evaluators
Submit two written recommendation letters, one from the private music teacher and one from a person confirming improvisation skills.
Dorothy A. Shimer Outstanding High School Piano Accompanist Award, $300, two recipients. Student must:
Be studying piano with a member of the MTAC Santa Clara County Branch
Attend a high school in Santa Clara County. All grades are eligible
Audition accompanying a piece at CM Level 8 or higher
Have accompanying experience in high school music ensembles (orchestra, band, choir, etc.), religious or community ensembles, or with solo performers
Perform at a live audition. The applicant will perform one accompaniment piece (or send an un-edited online video link of the performance if the soloist(s) is not available to attend the audition), and the Scholarship Foundation will provide one sight reading piece (CM Level 6-7)
Submit two letters of recommendation, one from private teacher and one from a person confirming accompanist skills.