Jun 092009
 

Over $750,000 is offered annually in music competition and musical scholarships on the local, state and national level by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). The right applicant could win $50,000 in awards and two years of performance bookings if they take home the Biennial Young Artist and Ellis Duo-Pianists competitions award. But that is not all there is, there’s much more. The NFMC sponsors competitions in a variety of categories from voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, music therapy, conducting and handicapped and visually impaired awards. The NFMC also plays a major role in sponsoring around forty annual and biennial awards for applicants that want to enroll in Summer Music Centers. The opportunities are endless at the National Federation of Music Clubs and that is exactly how they want it to be. The NFMC was founded in 1898 and is dedicated to music education. Lets explore some of the NFMC club scholarships.

The National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Awards is broken down into 4 categories. They are Piano, Strings, Man’s Voice and Women’s voice. For the Instrumentalist music competition you must have turned the age of 18 prior to June 1st of the applicable year. In addition, you must not have reached the age of 30 by the same date of the applicable year. The $10,000 first prize makes this musical competition a favorite to apply for. The NFMC and the Agnes Fowler Endowment fund this award. This competition is held every two years. Application must be received by February 1st of applicable year.

The NFMC Ellis Competition for Duo-Pianists consists of only one category that is Duo-Piano. This musical competition is held every two years. It is available for musicians between the ages of 18 and 39. You have to be in this age bracket prior to March 29th of the applicable year. The first place Duo-Team will receive a $10,000 first prize. Ellis Legacy and a gift from Floride Dean fund it. The second place Duo-Team will receive a $5,000 award funded by Ellis Legacy and Gretchen E. Van Roy. Application must be received by October 1st for the next applicable year.

The NFMC Lynn Freeman Olson Award in Piano Pedagogy is an award issued for outstanding Piano Pedagogy. You can be any age to participate in this music competition as long as you have an undergraduate degree in piano. The winner of this competition in music will receive $5,000. The Lynn Freeman Olsen Endowment and given by friends & James Schnars. The application deadline is January 31st of the applicable year. This musical scholarship award is offered every two years on odd numbered years.

The NFMC Virginia Allison Collaborative Award is given in honor of Past National Presidents of the NFMC. This musical scholarship is given for two categories every other year on an odd numbered year. The award is issued for Vocal Accompanying and Instrumental Accompanying. Must be between the age of 18 and 26 prior to March 1st of the applicable year. The winner for each category will receive $2,500.

The NFMC Emil and Ruth Beyer Composition Awards are given for Piano Solo, Piano-Voice or Chamber Music Composition. Must be between the ages of 20 and 31 by March 1st of the applicable year. This music club scholarship is given annually and the deadline for applications is April 1st of the applicable year. The Piano Solo winner will receive $2,000 for first place. The second place winner will receive $500. The Piano-Voice winner will receive $2,000 and the second place winner $500. The Chamber Music Instrumental Composition first place winner will receive $4,000 and the second place winner $1,000. The Emil and Ruth Beyer Endowment fund these scholarships for music.

For more information go to the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Musical Competitions and Scholarships.