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

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.  Scroll down to download the current application.

For more information about Suzuki merit scholarship auditions, click here.

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

Coming January 5, 2026
Applications for the 2026 - 2027 School Year

You could earn a merit scholarship for up to 50% off traditional private music lessons, our Suzuki Program, or our J@MS Program (Jazz at The Music Settlement)!

These auditions are only available for current Center for Music students at The Music Settlement.  Current students may download their application on this page or pick up a copy at the Enrollment & Customer Service office.  All applications must be received no than February 7, 2026.

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

2026 - 2027 Audition Dates by Department

• *Suzuki -- Tuesday, March 3, 2026 and Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (TMS UC)
  
  
• Brass & Winds -- Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• J@MS & Percussion -- Saturday, March 7, 2026 and Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• Strings -- Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• Voice -- Friday, March 20, 2026 from 3:30 pm - 8:30 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• Piano -- Friday, March 27, 2026 from 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• Overflow -- Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm (TMS UC)
  
  
• Composition -- Scores due by March 31, 2026

2026 - 2027 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 March 31, 2026.
  
  
• 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.

• 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. Jazz, pop, and concerto movements are acceptable, as are cuts of longer pieces.
  - Advanced Beginner Level: One octave major and minor scale, hands separate.
  - Intermediate Level: One to two octave scale, hands together, plus one octave arpeggios (major or minor), hands separate or together.
  - Advanced Level: Intermediate level plus two-octave arpeggios (major or minor), hands together.
  
  
• Strings (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos, memorization optional. Etude, appropriate to skill level. Major scales up to three accidentals, one minor scale.
  - Intermediate Level: 2 - 3 octaves memorized.
  - Advanced Level: 3 octaves memorized.
  
  
• *Suzuki (Advanced Beginner and up)
  
  Minimum Piece Requirement:
  - Bass: Perpetual Motion
  - Cello & Guitar: Rigadoon
  - Harp & Piano: Chant Arabe
  - Viola & Violin: Minuet 1
  
  - Book 1: One octave scale, arpeggio, and solo^; Piano only: One-handed one octave scale or two pentascales
  - Book 2: Two octave scale, arpeggios, and solo^
  - Book 3: Two octave scales (major and minor), two slurred and detache (strings only), arpeggios, short etude or contrasting piece (1 - 2 minutes), and solo^
  - Book 4 and above: Three octave scales (major and minor), four slurred and detache (strings only), arpeggios, short etude or contrasting piece (1 - 2 minutes), and solo^
  
  ^or suitable equivalents as decided by teacher
  
  
• Voice (Intermediate and up) -- Two contrasting solos. Memorization required (except for oratorio arias). For current/returning students, one piece may be old repertoire and the other piece must be new repertoire within the last 12 months. Accompaniment is required either with a pianist, self-accompaniment, or an audio recording on a good speaker provided by the student.

Applications available for download on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Application Deadline: Saturday, February 7, 2026

*Suzuki Department Merit Auditions

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