Shields Music Scholarship

Non-Credit Students

 

Frederick Community College and the George L. Shields Foundation are pleased to offer annual Shields Music Scholarship Awards in the following categories:
 

Merit 

Scholarships are available for students (ages 8-18) who have prior or current experience studying privately with a music instructor. To apply, students must perform on a live audition that includes a piece or excerpts between five to ten minutes long, which will showcase their abilities. In addition, applicants must submit a written statement and a teacher evaluation. All application materials must be submitted by Friday, April 10th, 2026. Renewals for the Spring semester will be determined by FCC teacher recommendation.

Online Application  Application Deadline: Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

 

Developing 

Scholarships are available for children (ages 6-14) who have no prior private musical instruction. No audition is required to apply for this category. Renewals in the Spring semester will be determined by FCC teacher recommendation.

Online Application  Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

 

Continuing 

Scholarships are available for children (ages 7-15) who have completed one year of musical instruction at FCC under the Developing category (see above) and wish to continue their studies on the same instrument for an additional year at FCC. Selections in this category will be based on the recommendation of the student's FCC music teacher and participation in FCC solo recital or ensemble performances. No audition is required to apply, and renewals in the Spring semester will be determined by FCC teacher recommendation.

Parents of students who are currently under the Developing category will be contacted via email from Monday March 16.
Application Deadline: Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

 

For more information and application details for CE students, please contact Dr. Marjory Serrano, Shields Coordinator.

 

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College Students

 

Initial application 

Scholarships conferred on FCC credit students with a preference for declared music majors enrolled in at least 4 credit hours of music classes per semester. Open Campus/Dual Enrollment students are only considered if they are ineligible for support from FCPS. Students must submit a video demonstration performance on at least their primary instrument. Composition students may submit a score and recording for one or more example compositions. Applicants may be contacted for a live audition in August.

Online Application  Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

 

Returning scholarship recipient 

The decision to award a scholarship for a second year is determined by student recital or jury adjudication, degree progress, and FCC instructor recommendations. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA with at least 8 credits completed in FCC’s music degree program, and provide two references, one from your FCC applied lesson instructor, and one from another music faculty member who has been one of your MUSC classroom instructors. Scholarship renewal beyond a second year will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Online Application  Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

 

Limited needs-based scholarships 

The George L Shields Foundation and the FCC Foundation offer partial scholarships to continuing education students who qualify for financial assistance. For more information and application details, please contact Michael Thornton, Scholarship Program Manager at FCC Foundation.

 

 

Auditions

Auditions for non-credit applicants will take place in JBK (Percussion in room F146). Audition pieces or excerpts should not exceed ten minutes in length and should best showcase the student's abilities. The judging criteria include technique, tone, intonation, expressiveness, and stage presence along with the student's statement and teacher evaluation.

Auditions for music majors will take place in August (date TBA).

Audition dates for Merit Scholarships are as follows:
- Saturday May 16 - Piano, Voice, Guitar, and Percussion
- Sunday May 17 - Strings, Winds, and Brass
  
You will receive an email from Dr. Serrano on Sunday, April 27^th, with your audition time.
 
Please note that judges reserve the right to withhold awards or award partial scholarships.
This scholarship can only be used for private music lessons at Frederick Community College.

 

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