How To Apply

If accepted for admission, the information you provide on your enrollment application will automatically be considered for an Incoming Student Scholarship award. All scholarship recipients will be notified by mail and posted on the McNally Smith College of Music Scholarship page by April 9, 2012.

Awards for Incoming Student Scholarships

Incoming student scholarships are awarded for two semesters (one year). These scholarships automatically renew every semester as long as the student achieves a grade point average of 3.0 for each semester’s work and enrolls full-time up to eight semesters.

Music Performance

• Excellence in String Performance: This scholarship is presented to an incoming String student. This award is intended to recognize outstanding ability demonstrated by a student in string performance.

• Excellence in Keyboard / Piano: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Keyboard student. This award is intended to recognize outstanding ability demonstrated by a student in keyboard or piano performance.

• Marv Dahlgren Award for Excellence in Percussion: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Percussion student. A nationally known figure in the drumming world, Marv Dahlgren was the principal percussionist and assistant timpanist for the Minnesota Orchestra, an original faculty member in the McNally Smith Percussion department, and continues to teach at the college.

• Debbie Duncan Award for Excellence in Voice: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Voice student. One of the country’s most respected jazz vocalists, Debbie Duncan moved to Minneapolis after ten years of working the Los Angeles nightclub circuit. She has received numerous Minnesota Music Awards and was the first recipient of the Perpetually Outstanding Performer award. Debbie is a faculty member at McNally Smith.

• Chris Coleman Award for Excellence in Brass & Woodwind: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Brass & Woodwind student. A member of the St. Paul City Council from 1997 to 2003, Chris Coleman is the current Mayor of St. Paul and an outspoken advocate for the arts and arts education. Chris was instrumental in bringing McNally Smith to St. Paul in 2004.

• Mike Watt Award for Excellence in Bass: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Bass student. Mike Watt is a founding member of fIREHOSE, a popular band on American college campuses in the ‘90s. Touring and recording almost nonstop, Watt has worked with J. Mascis, The Stooges, and others on numerous ongoing projects.

• Mike Elliott Award for Excellence in Guitar: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Guitar student. Mike Elliott, a versatile, highly accomplished guitarist revered for his work in both jazz and country music, was a much- loved instructor at McNally Smith College of Music. His extensive music career included performances with the Toronto Symphony and recordings with Johnny Cash. Mike taught countless students from beginners to Béla Fleck. He passed away at his home in St. Paul in 2005.

Music Production and Composition

• Excellence in Composition: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Composition & Songwriting student. This award is intended to recognize outstanding ability demonstrated by a student in composition and songwriting.
  

• Ben Sidran Award for Excellence in Music Production: This scholarship is presented to an incoming Music Production student. A pianist, producer, singer and composer, Ben Sidran has recorded twenty-five solo albums and has produced recordings for such noted artists as Van Morrison, Diana Ross, Mose Allison and Jon Hendricks. Sidran was a Distinguished Visiting Artist at McNally Smith in 2003.

Academic Merit and Other Criteria

• The Women in Music Scholarship: This scholarship is presented to an incoming female McNally Smith College of Music student. This award is intended to recognize outstanding ability demonstrated by a female student in any area of musical study.

• Merit Scholarships: The merit scholarships are selected from all incoming students based upon quality of auditions and supporting materials.