Scholarships

Lewis and Clark College Music Scholarships are merit-based financial awards given to music students who demonstrate outstanding skill and potential in their instrument, voice part, and/or in music composition. Incoming students, transferring students, and current students are eligible to audition once per academic year.

Fast Facts:

Some scholarships are available to all Lewis and Clark students, regardless of major, and others are available only to declared Music majors. The amount of funds given out each year varies. Awards range from $550 per semester (covering the fee to participate in private lessons) to $10,000 per year.  Scholarships are automatically renewed each academic year, provided the recipient continues to fulfill the obligations of his/her award – which typically includes participation in private lessons and performance in the relevant Lewis and Clark music ensemble, i.e. orchestra, choir, wind ensemble, jazz band. You may audition on more than one instrument, however we suggest that you choose the one you feel most confident about.

How To Apply:

How to Apply for a Performance Scholarship:

1. Fill out the online application form by Feb. 1^st, 2013

ONLINE APPLICATION

2. Audition on or by February 9^th, 2013

a. PREFERRED: Applicants may audition in person at Lewis and Clark College on February 9^th, 2013. Email music@lclark.edu to sign up for a time, and note whether or not you will require a piano accompanist.

b. If you are unable to attend the live audition on campus, you may electronically submit a video recorded audition by February 9^th, 2013. Applicants should upload the video recording (with good audio and video quality) to YouTube and email the link to music@lclark.edu by the deadline. Please provide information on what you are playing in either the email or the video.

Audition Requirements:

All auditions, whether live or recorded, should demonstrate your abilities to date. If instrumental, please perform 10-15 minutes of a work – either short movements of one or two pieces or one longer movement. Vocalists should perform at least two separate pieces representing different styles you have studied (for example, aria, art song, and musical theater selections); ideally we wish to hear at least one piece in a foreign language. Auditions will be heard by members of the Lewis and Clark College music faculty.

How To Apply for a Composition Scholarship:

1. Fill out the online application form by Feb. 1^st, 2013

ONLINE APPLICATION

2. Submit a portfolio by February 9^th, 2013

Applicants should submit a representative portfolio of at least three of your scores, preferably with recordings, via email to Composition Program Director Michael Johanson at johanson@lclark.edu.

 

For more information on available scholarships and how to apply, contact Denise Gerhardt at 503-768-7460 or email music@lclark.edu.

 

NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS:

 

Betsy Russell ’81 Music Composition Scholarship

The Betsy Russell ’81 Music Composition Scholarship was established in 2011 by music alumna Betsy Russell to attract music composition talent to Lewis & Clark and to celebrate emerging composers in the greater Portland area.  Ms. Russell has a long-standing relationship with the College and a special interest in supporting new music.  Her commitment to the arts will allow Lewis & Clark’s music program to attract and retain fresh talent and promote and reward new composition from young musicians.

Selection:

The renewable scholarship will provide a $5,000/year award to a student who majors in music composition.  The award will be merit-based and the selection committee will be comprised of faculty of the music department and perhaps a music alumnus/a with experience in composition.  The recipient of the award must remain in good standing and as a music composition major throughout his or her academic career at Lewis & Clark.  As a student, the award recipient will submit a composition to be played by a professional music ensemble.

Criteria:

1. Competitive, merit-based; students will compete for award by submitting a portfolio of their work to music faculty
2. Current music major with a focus on composition OR incoming student intending to declare a music major with a focus on composition
3. During Lewis & Clark tenure, recipient presents best work to professional group to perform the composition

 

Dr. Paul Bellam Memorial Scholarship

The Dr. Paul Bellam Memorial Scholarship was fully funded in 2011 by Bruce Bailey and Mariel Bailey ’72 to celebrate classical music and provide an incentive and a reward for the concert master or mistress of the Lewis & Clark orchestra.

Dr. Bellam lived in Portland, Oregon, from 1966 to 1987 where he taught in Lewis & Clark’s music program, conducted the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and played with the Oregon Symphony.  Called a “perfectionist and taskmaster,” Dr. Bellam played the violin and viola.  He died in 2003.

Mariel studied with Dr. Bellam as an undergraduate at Lewis & Clark.  Mariel went on to play for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and currently holds the position of Section First Violinist.  Her husband, Bruce, plays for the same orchestra.  Mariel and Bruce enjoy the outdoors, collecting musical scores, and spending time with their dog.

 

Cynthia Lois Brown Organ Scholarships 

Cynthia Lois Brown Organ Scholarships were established to support students interested in studying the organ as a part of a liberal arts education. The late Cynthia Lois Brown, a student of Lewis & Clark organist and Professor of Music Emeritus, Dr. Lee Garrett, provided the endowment for these scholarships.

Recipients do not need to major in music, but they must have prior keyboard experience in order to take full advantage of the College’s rich program of learning about the organ and its music (there are three fine pipe organs at Lewis & Clark). Scholarships are awarded on the basis of both merit and need and may be renewed, pending students’ satisfactory progress.

Photo below: the Casavant Organ located in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel