Scholarships
The Liberty University School of Music (LUSOM) is pleased to offer an exciting scholarship initiative for all musical disciplines within the Center for Music Education & Performance and the Center for Music & Worship. The LUSOM has long recognized that students studying in our programs are unique in that they view what they do as being obedient to a greater calling – God’s calling.
We recognize that God is leading exceptionally talented young men and women to the School of Music.
These are bright, gifted servants, seeking to develop their skills and talents for career opportunities as professional musicians in various places of service:
- at home or abroad
- in bands and orchestras
- on stage and in the studio
- in folk groups and ethnic ensembles
- as filmmakers and music technologists
- as music educators and worship leaders
- as soloists and conductors
- as songwriters and artists
In many cases, students have spent years developing their skills – sacrificing time, energy, and resources – seeking to shape and craft their talent so that God receives the glory, praise, and honor.
A series of scholarships has been developed in recognition of these wonderfully gifted students. In some cases – as with scholarships for the junior, senior, or graduate students – we want to say, “job well done.” With other scholarships, we are looking to invest in the lives of incoming musicians as they serve and perform in the marching band, chamber ensembles, praise bands, and various public relations teams.
God has blessed the LUSOM with strategic and significant donors that hold and share the same vision for investing in the lives of future musicians as we do. We thank these gracious partners for making these scholarships possible.
What follows are important guidelines on how LUSOM students can be part of the scholarship program. God bless you as you explore the possibilities of partnering with us as we seek to prepare musicians as Champions for Christ.
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Qualifications for School of Music Scholarships
Scholarships from the LUSOM are competitive scholarships for music majors, based on application and audition. School of Music Scholarship recipients will be selected by the LUSOM Scholarship Committee based on the following criteria: musicianship, scholarship, financial need (according to the standards of the department of Student Accounts at Liberty University), and walk with God. Recommendations by the School of Music Faculty are also considered.
Apply for School of Music Scholarships
Basic Qualifications
Any recipient of a Liberty University School of Music Scholarship must meet the following basic qualifications:
- Students must be in full-time status and must be a declared School of Music student.
- All potential recipients must be professing Christians.
- All potential recipients must submit an application to the Liberty University School of Music Scholarship Committee.
- All potential recipients must submit an audition, either in-person or through video submission, for consideration.
- Recipients must maintain good academic standing during the term of award.
- Recipients must reimburse the School of Music Scholarship Fund the amount of any unused portion of the awarded scholarship.
- Transfer Students only – Transfer students must obtain a letter of release from their current school before being considered for a scholarship at the LUSOM, per National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) stipulation.
Audition Requirements
The audition portion of the scholarship application process allows the LUSOM Scholarship Committee the opportunity to observe potential scholarship recipients and award scholarships accordingly, based on music ability and merit. Auditions for LUSOM Scholarships can be completed either in-person (recommended) or via video submission.
In-person auditions are scheduled quarterly during Liberty University’s College for a Weekend (CFAW). Other in-person audition times can be scheduled per request. To request an audition time, please email the appropriate area coordinator for your instrument (i.e. voice, piano, etc.) found at one of the pages listed below. For video audition submissions, applicants must record their audition, completing the requirements outlined on the pages below. Applicants will then submit the video application as part of the scholarship application, attaching the video link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) to the application.
For further detailed information regarding scholarship audition requirements, visit the applicable center audition page:
Scholarship Renewal Information
LUSOM Scholarships are one-year awards. Students may reapply for available scholarships each academic year.
How Scholarships Work with Financial Aid
Liberty University School of Music scholarships are considered financial aid, just as grants, work-study, and loans; however, they are “departmental” awards based on your Music Scholarship Application and Audition, and are awarded independently of any “need-based” awards received from the Financial Aid Office. Federal and state financial aid programs require that students not receive financial aid in excess of one’s cost of education, which includes living expenses. Need-based aid, such as grants and subsidized loans, must remain within a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Scholarships are factored into financial need assessments. Students who receive private donor or Liberty University School of Music scholarships should inform the Office of Student Financial Services of these awards when they receive their award letters. A student’s need-based financial aid may be revised because of the departmental scholarship awards he or she is receiving from the Liberty University School of Music. This includes tuition exemptions and waivers.
Liberty University Scholarships/Financial Aid
Information about University-wide scholarships (scholarships that are not specifically for music students) and other types of financial assistance is available through the following links:
Music Scholarships
Gary & Donnita Mathena International Music Student Scholarship
This scholarship is given by Dr. Gary and Mrs. Donnita Mathena to honor and encourage international students in the study of music and worship.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 2
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to two music or music and worship majors. ($5,000 awarded to each student)
- The students must be international students studying at Liberty University on American student visas.
Gary Mathena Development Scholarship
This scholarship is given by the longtime minister of music and songwriter, Dr. Gary Mathena, to honor and encourage young artists in their quest for musical excellence, spiritual devotion, artistic skill, and professional achievement.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 2
- $2,500 scholarship awarded to two students at the beginning of their second semester sophomore year. ($2,500 awarded to each student)
- Scholarships will only be awarded to students upon their acceptance into the Artist Development program.
Gary Mathena Music & Worship Scholarship – Transfer Student
This scholarship is given by the longtime minister of music and songwriter, Dr. Gary Mathena, to honor and encourage young musicians as they prepare themselves to pursue the call as worship leaders.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 1
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to a student transferring into the Music and Worship major from another school and declaring the B.M. in Artist Development, Songwriting, Music in World Culture, Leadership Communication, Worship Leadership, or B.S. in Music and Worship.
Gary Mathena Songwriter Scholarship
This scholarship is given by the longtime minister of music and songwriter, Dr. Gary Mathena, to honor and encourage young songwriters to devote their talent and skill in writing congregational songs for the local church.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 2
- $2,500 scholarship awarded to two students at the beginning of their second semester sophomore year. ($2,500 awarded to each student)
- Scholarships will only be awarded to students upon their acceptance into the Songwriting program.
Jack Price Music Scholarship
This scholarship is to honor Jack Price, long time itinerate music evangelist, song leader, artist, and publisher.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 8
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to eight rising sophomore music or music and worship majors. ($5,000 awarded to each student)
- The student(s) will be required to participate in an active and approved praise team (House Band, E41, etc.) or music chamber group (Woodwind Quintet, String Quartet, Brass Quintet, etc.)
John G. Gage Instrumental Music Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of John G. Gage, longtime director, arranger and conductor of instruments and orchestras.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 8
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to eight rising sophomore music or music and worship majors. ($5,000 awarded to each student)
- The student(s) will be required to participate in an active and approved praise team (House Band, E41, etc.) or music chamber group (Woodwind Quintet, String Quartet, Brass Quintet, etc.).
Marty Hamby Arranging Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Composer/Arranger Marty Hamby for his contribution to the body of songs performed by the evangelical church.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 1
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to a rising junior student with unique skills in music arranging and/or orchestration.
Mathena Family Ethnomusicology Research Grant
This scholarship is given by Dr. Harold and Mrs. Patricia Mathena Family to honor students that feel called by God to use music as a means of communicating the gospel with cultural and ethnic sensitivity.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 1-5
- Grant awarded to assist graduate students who are working on an M.A. in Ethnomusicology and needing to complete research/internship overseas as part of degree requirements.
Mathena Family Music & Worship Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Harold and Mrs. Patricia Mathena Family for their faithful example and enduring walk with the Lord.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 4
- $2,500 scholarship awarded to two rising junior and two rising senior worship students. ($2,500 awarded to each student)
Mathena Family New Student Music Scholarship
This scholarship is given by Dr. Harold and Mrs. Patricia Mathena Family to encourage students entering college for the first time to prepare themselves as skilled musicians for the glory of God and testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 20
- $2,500 scholarship awarded to 20 new School of Music students. ($2,500 awarded to each student)
Mathena Graduate Scholarship in Music & Worship
This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Harold and Mrs. Patricia Mathena to encourage young graduate students to continue their pursuit for excellence as music professionals.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 5
- $2,000 scholarship awarded to five students pursuing the Master of Arts in Music and Worship, the Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology, or the Master of Arts in Music Education. ($2,000 awarded to each student)
Music Merit-Based Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to provide financial assistance to gifted musicians who desire to advance their musical craft, whether instrumentally or vocally, through the continued rigorous study here at Liberty University.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 9
- $1,000 scholarship awarded to nine undergraduate music majors. ($1,000 awarded to each student)
Phil Barfoot Songwriter Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Phil Barfoot, a respected Nashville producer, songwriter, and music business entrepreneur.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 1
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to one rising junior or senior songwriting major.
Phil Martin Music in World Cultures (Ethnomusicology) Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of longtime and keenly respected music missionary, Dr. Phil Martin.
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 1
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to a rising junior Music in World Cultures major.
WaterStone Warren & Catherine Bridges Scholarship
This scholarship is given in honor of Warren and Catherine Bridges for the purpose of encouraging the scholastic and musical advancement of instrumental musicians.
- Number of scholarships awarded for the 2014-2015 academic year: 5
- $5,000 scholarship awarded to five students studying in one of the following majors: Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion Performance, String Performance, Guitar Performance, or Instrumental Music Education. ($5,000 awarded to each student)
- Students who are continuing in equivalent instrumental performance or instrumental music education degrees under previous titles are eligible for this award.
- The student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- The student must participate in an instrumental ensemble each semester.
Marching Band & Spirit Band Scholarships
Liberty University Marching Band Scholarship
The scholarship availability for students participating in this ensemble is as follows:
- Number of scholarships awarded for each year: 300
Each Fall Semester
Year in Band and Scholarship Amount:
- First Year: $1,500
- Second Year: $2,000
- Third Year: $2,500
- Fourth Year and Beyond: $3,000
Liberty University Spirit Band Scholarship
- Number of scholarships awarded annually: 30
- $1,200 scholarship awarded 30 members of the Spirit Band. ($1,200 awarded to each student)
- “Rising Sophomore” denotes that a student will hold sophomore classification at the beginning of the academic award year.
- “Rising Junior” denotes that a student will hold junior classification at the beginning of the academic award year.
- “Rising Senior” denotes that a student will hold senior classification at the beginning of the academic award year.
Questions?
If you have any questions that have not been answered by the information on this page, contact us at somscholarships@liberty.edu