Financial Aid
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) offers talent-based Music Scholarships, open to all students regardless of their major, which are awarded through an audition before MVNU music faculty. These scholarships typically range from approximately $650 to $3,500 for one academic year and are available for voice, piano, guitar, most wind and string instruments, percussion, organ, and composition. Each year, MVNU also awards one or more music performance scholarships of $5,000 to students who declare a music major.
Music Scholarships
What are MVNU Music Scholarships and who is eligible?
Music Scholarships are talent-based awards, open to all students regardless of major, and are awarded through an audition before MVNU music faculty. Scholarship awards range from approximately $650-$3,500 for one academic year and are available for voice, piano, guitar, most wind and string instruments, percussion, organ and composition. Each year, one or more music performance scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to students who declare as a music major. All prospective students considering music as a major should audition for consideration.
Candidates must complete a music scholarship application and have a music instructor complete a recommendation form, both located at the bottom of this page.
Learn more about our music program.
How can you audition for MVNU Music Scholarships?
Scholarship Audition Days — Dec. 11, 2026 or Feb. 20, 2027
(Scholarship Application must be completed a week before visit. A teacher recommendation also must be completed.)
Arts and Humanities Preview Day — Jan. 29, 2027
Day includes option to audition, class visits, lunch with faculty, campus tour and more.
(Scholarship Application must be completed a week before visit. A teacher recommendation also must be completed.)
Recorded Auditions
Applicants may audition in-person on the dates indicated or submit a recorded audition in place of the in-person audition. Recorded auditions are due no later than Dec. 10, 2026 in the fall and Feb. 18, 2027 in the spring. Application is due one week prior to the recording deadline.
Scholars Day
Those attending Scholars Day (Thursday, Nov. 19) may also audition for music scholarship.
Deadlines:
Priority consideration will be given to auditions that are completed by Dec. 11, 2026. The deadline for scholarship consideration for the Spring is Feb. 20, 2027.
Audition Information
- Participation awards (up to $1,000) only require the student to participate in one of the MVNU Music Department ensembles such as band or choir.
- Performance awards (up to $3,500) require the student to study privately at MVNU on the instrument (or voice) on which they auditioned and register for one of the MVNU Music Department ensembles.
- All music scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student continues to meet the above requirements and maintains a good academic standing.
- Candidates will audition in their major applied area (voice, keyboard, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, composition). Students may not audition in more than one area without prior approval by Dr. John Packard. If approved, separate applications and recommendation forms must be submitted for both auditions.
- The Music Faculty recommends that applicants prepare two selections or movements from different style periods for the audition. For instance, piano or instrumental might choose selections from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Twentieth Century repertoire.
- Vocalists are encouraged to choose selections from Classical, Broadway, or Worship genres. Guitar players should demonstrate a breath of skill within the chosen audition pieces. Percussion players are encouraged to demonstrate skill on at least two instruments (mallets, snare, timpani, and if applicable drumset).
- Instrumentalists may prepare only one selection of significant length if it demonstrates both lyrical and technical aspects of musicianship. A good source of appropriate literature is the OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest list.
- Audition material does not have to be memorized. Music copies are not needed for the faculty panel.
- Applicants are encouraged to audition in person, but recorded auditions are also welcome. YouTube is the preferred method for submitting recorded auditions. Music repertoire should be selected based on the aforementioned guidelines and care should be taken to produce the highest quality recording possible. Students submitting recorded auditions should complete and submit the application in advance of the recording. Audition links should be emailed to Dr. John Packard.
- If you have questions regarding the music program or music scholarships at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, please contact by phone or email Tressa Daley, Music Department Secretary, at 740-392-6868 ext. 3000, or Dr. John Packard, Music Department Chair, at ext. 3001. Scholarship auditions are held in the R.R. Hodges Chapel / Fine Arts Building.
Application Information
- Candidates must complete a music scholarship application. It may be completed online by clicking the link below:
Candidates must have a music instructor complete a recommendation form. The student should give the instructor the web address to complete the online form. Or the form may be printed by the student or instructor, completed by the instructor, and mailed by the student or instructor to the address below.
- Recommendation Form (online)
- Recommendation Form (PDF)
Mail to:
Attention: Tressa Daley
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
800 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Who can I contact for MVNU Music Scholarship information?
John Packard
John.packard@mvnu.edu
740-397-9000 ext. 3001
Tressa Daley
tressa.daley@mvnu.edu
740-397-9000 ext. 3000