You could win a merit scholarship for private music lessons, our Suzuki Program, or our J@MS Program! Open to students of all ages.

Merit scholarship auditions are open to current students of The Music Settlement's Center for Music. Students interested in receiving a scholarship must complete an audition. All merit awards will be put toward tuition for the upcoming school year.

For more information about Suzuki scholarship auditions, click here.

Community merit scholarship auditions are offered in the summer.  Details are posted in late spring.

Community Merit Scholarship Auditions

Applications for the 2023 - 2024 School Year are Now Available!

Our Community Merit Scholarship Auditions are open to anyone in the community.  (You do not need to be a current student of The Music Settlement.) All applications must be received no later than Monday, July 24, 2023.

Auditions will be held in-person at our University Circle campus. Video auditions will also be accepted. See application for more details.

Monday, July 31, 2023
4:00 - 7:00 pm, by appointment only

TMS University Circle Campus, Glick Recital Hall
11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106

2023 - 2024 Audition Requirements by Department

• Brass & Winds (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos. Etudes/technical pieces accepted. Memorization optional.
  - Middle School: Major scales up to 4 accidentals, one minor scale.
  - High School and Up: All major scales, one minor scale.

• Composition (Intermediate and up) -- Audition by submission of two original works that demonstrate creativity and skill level in melodic invention, harmonic and rhythmic interest, and formal structure. Printed score and hand notated sample must be submitted if work is presented electronically. Composition applicants do not need to attend an audition.  All materials must be received by Monday, July 24, 2023.
  
  
• Fiddle (Intermediate and up) -- Two hoedowns in different keys and/or tuning, memorization required. All tunes should be played at or close to dance tempo in old-time fiddle style. Cross tuning is allowed. May play alone or with one accompanist.
  
  
• Guitar (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos, memorization required. Two major scales, one minor scale, two octaves.
  
  
• Harp (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos, memorization optional. Etude, appropriate to skill level. Arpeggios optional.

• J@MS Program (Intermediate and up) -- Perform a blues melody and improvize over blues changes. Four major scales and four blues scales in cycle order: C-F-Bb-Eb.

• Percussion (Intermediate and up) -- Snare drum rudiments, open/closed rolls, prepared snare drum solo, drum set (if studied). Optional: if studied -- mallet scales and solo, timpani tuning and solo.

• Piano (Advanced Beginner and up) -- Two contrasting solos. Memorization required. No duets except for concerto movements. Three scales (your choice, major/minor). Arpeggios optional. All method book solos and movie arrangements must be submitted to the Piano Department Head for approval no later than Monday, July 24th.

• Strings (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos, memorization optional. Etude, appropriate to skill level. Major scales up to three accidentals, one minor scale.
  - Elementary & Middle School: 2 - 3 octaves memorized.
  - High School and Up: 3 octaves memorized.
  
  
• Voice (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos. Memorization required (except for oratorio arias).

Application Deadline:
Monday, July 24, 2023

Download Your Application

Suzuki Department Merit Auditions

Suzuki Department Merit Auditions are only available for current student, held annually each spring.  For information about merit scholarship auditions for The Music Settlement's Suzuki Department, please visit our Current Suzuki Students page.