Student Funding Opportunties

Scholarships

Music Lesson Scholarships

Music majors in good standing receive a full scholarship for the first set of lessons each semester and can receive an additional one-half scholarship if they are taking a second set of lessons. Music minors in good standing receive a full scholarship for the first set of lessons each semester for a total of four semesters.

Financial Aid for Music Lessons

Financial aid to offset the cost of private lessons in the music department can be requested during lesson registration. Non-majors and minors will receive awards at levels proportional to the percentage of aid received from the college in a given academic year.  Students attending CC on full-level scholarships such as the Boetcher and El Pomar receive a full scholarship for the first set of lessons. Music majors and minors may request financial aid to offset the cost of a second set of lessons not covered by scholarship.

Students receiving financial aid for lessons are required to write a brief thank you note to the donor. All students receiving such aid will be evaluated for attendance and participation in their lessons before subsequent aid will be offered for future semesters.

Autrey Tuition Scholarship

History and Purpose

This scholarship was established by Donald E. Autrey '40 in memory of his wife, Charlotte Pendergrast Autrey '37, who died in 1987.  Charlotte was a student at CC for 3 semesters and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. The scholarship is awarded to those individuals who are outstanding students in music. In addition to financial need, consideration is given to the student's scholarship ability, intellectual promise, interest and potential in music, qualities of character, leadership, initiative and hard work as evidenced by their record at CC. The total number of awards given in a single year will be determined by the total payout of the award endowment.  Music majors will receive $2500 each, and music minors will receive $1000 each.

Eligibility, Evaluation, and Review

Priority is given to students with significant financial need (full or near full financial aid) and those with a combined GPA greater than 3.7.  However, those students showing academic improvement or overcoming academic challenges will also be reviewed. Students must demonstrate engagement in the department, including both formal (e.g., ensemble participation) and informal contributions (e.g., peer collaboration, community-building).

Given a demonstrated need and academic achievement/improvement, we will prioritize a student’s engagement over the current (fall) and previous (spring) semesters alongside their anticipated contributions moving forward.

The Department Chair compiles a list of majors and minors with significant financial need, their GPA, and recent ensemble participation and circulates to the Associate Chairs. The Chair and Associate Chairs will then rank the majors and minors separately following the criteria outlined above, before meeting to discuss the final selections.

Project Funding:

Project Grants for Music Majors & Minors

The Music Department offers "Project Grants" of up to $500 to support approved, music-aligned projects proposed by Music majors and minors. Funding is intended to advance creative, scholarly, professional, or community-engaged work that extends learning through music beyond regular courses, lessons, or ensembles. Awards are subject to available departmental funds and may vary year to year based on overall budget needs.

To apply, please submit a brief proposal (1–2 pages) that includes:

• A description of the project and its goals;
• A detailed budget outlining anticipated expenses;
• An explanation of how the project supports your development as a Music Major or Minor.

If applying on behalf of a student organization or ensemble, the proposal must clearly explain:

• Why additional funds are needed beyond the group’s regular operating budget;
• What other funding sources have been pursued;
• How this request represents a distinct, project-based expense rather than routine operational costs.

Venture Grant "Matching Funding"

From the Venture Grant webpage "Things to Know"

"Matching Funding: Students who have been awarded a Keller Family Venture Grant can extend the award by applying for matching funds up to $500 per person in additional funding if they have secured matching funds from a separate institutional funding source (approved internal Colorado College grant funds, external grant funds- personal resources may not be used to secure matching funds.)"

For approved, music-aligned Venture Grant projects, the Music Department may provide up to $500 per student in “matching funding” to support additional project expenses.

To apply, please email the Music Department Chair a single PDF that includes:

1. Your original Venture Grant proposal, including the full narrative and budget;
2. Documentation of approval from the Venture Grant Committee;
3. A brief (one-paragraph) matching funds statement that:

• Explains why additional funding is needed beyond the original award;
• Identifies the specific expenses the matching funds would cover;
• Describes how this additional support will enhance the music-related project’s scope, quality, learning outcomes, or community impact.

Once reviewed and approved, students will receive confirmation from the department chair that they can use to formalize their request for matching funds from the Venture Grant committee.

Senior Capstone Project Grants

All Music majors completing the senior capstone are guaranteed $400 in departmental support toward approved capstone project expenses. Students may request up to an additional $100 (for a total of $500) if project needs exceed the base allocation.

These funds are designated specifically for capstone work and are separate from Project Grants for Music Majors & Minors and Venture Grant Matching Funds.

To receive capstone funding, students must submit:

• A brief description of the capstone project;
• A clear, itemized budget outlining anticipated project expenses;
• If requesting the additional $100, a short explanation of why the supplemental funds are needed and how they will enhance the scope or quality of the project.

Capstone funds are intended to support direct project expenses (e.g., materials, equipment rental, performers, production costs, travel essential to the project). Clear and specific budget details help ensure equitable distribution of resources.

End-of Year Awards

The music department celebrates student excellence through a set of annual awards given at Honors Convocation. Along with recognition at the ceremony, each carries a cash prize.

Max Lanner Prize for Excellence in Instrumental Music

Awarded annually in honor of Professor Max Lanner—distinguished pianist, teacher, and former department chair—this prize recognizes outstanding achievement in instrumental performance. The award celebrates exceptional artistry, technical accomplishment, and meaningful contributions to instrumental music within the Colorado College community.

Marie Clough Gillis Award for Excellence in Vocal Music

Established in memory of Marie Clough Gillis (Class of 1918), this award honors excellence in vocal performance. It recognizes students who demonstrate expressive artistry, vocal distinction, and significant contributions to the vocal life of the college.

David and Karen Cowperthwaite Award for Excellence in Music

Created in 1962 in memory of David ’60 and Karen ’62 Cowperthwaite, this award recognizes broad excellence in music for graduating senior music majors. It honors students whose overall musicianship, dedication, and contributions have had a meaningful impact on the department’s artistic and academic community.

Ensemble Excellence Award

The Ensemble Excellence Award recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional musicianship, leadership, and collaborative artistry within a Colorado College music ensemble. The award celebrates meaningful contributions to the collective musical life of the department and honors the spirit of shared performance at the heart of ensemble work. Students must have been officially enrolled in a departmental ensemble during the academic year.

Selection Process for End-Of-Year Awards:

Award consideration begins with nomination by departmental faculty and staff as well as self-nomination by individual students. By the second Monday of Block 7, submit to the Chair of the Music Department, the name of your nomination and an accompanying paragraph that addresses why this student should receive this honor. Please also address aspects of the student’s engagement and active involvement with the department, as well as instances of their leadership and initiative in music. Specific examples that can support your observations are appreciated.

All nominations will be considered by the core faculty members and decisions will be made prior to the end of Block 7.

Additional Opportunities

Full-time faculty within the music department sometimes engage the assistance of students during the summer as part of CC's Faculty-Student Collaborative Research Summer Grants.  Interested students should communicate interest directly to faculty members during the fall semester prior to the summer of the research project.