Music can become a serious part of your academic profile much earlier than a lot of students realize. If you’ve spent time developing skills in vocals, instruments, composition, production, or performance, music scholarships can help support that work while also opening access to new training and opportunities during high school.
Music scholarships for high school students are usually awarded based on talent, auditions, portfolios, performances, or demonstrated commitment to music. Some scholarships focus on classical instruments and orchestras, while others support jazz, songwriting, music production, choral performance, or contemporary music. Depending on the program, students may receive financial support, mentorship, training opportunities, summer program access, or performance-based recognition.
What do music scholarships for high schoolers include?
Music scholarships for high school students often include financial awards connected to music education, summer programs, competitions, private lessons, or academic institutions. Some scholarships require auditions, recorded performances, recommendation letters, or music portfolios as part of the application process.
A lot of scholarships also provide opportunities beyond funding itself. Students may gain access to masterclasses, workshops, mentorship from musicians, networking opportunities, or advanced training environments connected to conservatories and music programs. In some cases, scholarships also help students build stronger portfolios and performance experience before applying to college music programs later on.
With that, here are 15 music scholarships for high school students! If you’re also exploring research-focused opportunities, see Horizon’s blog on high school research programs.
15 Music Scholarships for High School Students
1. Glenn Miller Birthplace Society (GMBS) Music Scholarship Competition
Location: Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship Competition, Clarinda, IA
Stipend: Scholarship awards of $10,000 (1st place), $5,000 (2nd place), and $3,000 (3rd place); $36,000 total available across vocal and instrumental categories
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 semi-finalists selected (10 vocal, 10 instrumental); 6 final winners named
Dates: Final competition June 11; awards June 12 (festival participation includes June 10–12 activities)
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: High school seniors intending to pursue music as a future academic or professional focus (college freshmen are also eligible, but high school seniors qualify)
The GMBS Music Scholarship Competition is a national performance competition for high school seniors planning to continue music in college or professional study. If you are selected as a semi-finalist, you travel to Clarinda, Iowa, during the Glenn Miller Festival and compete live in either the vocal or instrumental division. You can perform classical, jazz, or popular music, though the competition especially encourages repertoire connected to the Great American Songbook and Glenn Miller traditions. Across the festival weekend, you also attend performances, networking events, and group activities with other young musicians. The final competition awards major scholarships, including a $10,000 first-place prize in both vocal and instrumental categories.
2. NFMC Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Awards
Location: National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Division, Greenwood, IN
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Held in odd-numbered years
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12
The NFMC Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Awards recognize high school students who write original music compositions. You submit your own written composition for adjudication through the National Federation of Music Clubs, where the work is evaluated on creativity, structure, and compositional development. The competition is especially relevant if you are interested in music theory, notation, orchestration, or pre-college conservatory composition study. Since the award focuses on original written music rather than live performance, the process feels closer to a young composer competition than a performing arts scholarship. The high school division specifically serves students in grades 10–12.
3. Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award (From the Top Learning & Media Lab Fellowship)
Location: Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, Boston, MA
Stipend: Up to $10,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 recipients selected annually
Dates: Multiple annual application cycles; upcoming deadlines include September 1, November 15, and April 15/22
Application Deadline: Varies by cycle (next deadlines: Sept 1; Nov 15; April 15–22)
Eligibility: Pre-collegiate students ages 8–18 (including high school students) who are classical instrumentalists, vocalists, or composers; applicants must demonstrate strong musical ability, financial need, academic engagement, and personal commitment to music
The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award supports young classical musicians with financial need who are already pursuing serious pre-college musical training. If selected, you will also join From the Top’s Learning & Media Lab Fellowship, which includes media opportunities, mentoring, and potential NPR performance exposure. The award can help cover costs connected to instruments, private lessons, summer intensives, travel, and conservatory preparation. Applications are evaluated through musical performance ability, academic engagement, financial circumstances, and long-term commitment to music. The program is open to instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers between the ages of 8 and 18.
4. Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) Scholarships
Location: Oregon Music Hall of Fame Music Education Scholarships, Portland, OR
Stipend: $3,500 per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Graduating Oregon high school seniors
OMHOF scholarships support graduating Oregon seniors planning to continue music study at the college level. Applications are evaluated through musicianship, performance ability, and long-term dedication to music, with selected recipients recognized publicly during the scholarship ceremony. Awardees also perform live as part of the recognition process, so the scholarship includes a performance component alongside financial support. The program includes several scholarship categories under one application, which gives students multiple award opportunities through a single submission.
5. Billy Hagen Memorial High School Scholarship (OMHOF)
Location: Oregon Music Hall of Fame Music Education Scholarships, Portland, OR
Stipend: $3,500 per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Covers two academic years
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: High school seniors from Aloha, Beaverton, or Sunset High School
This OMHOF scholarship honors musician Billy Hagen and supports seniors from Aloha, Beaverton, or Sunset High School who plan to continue music-related study. The selection process looks at musical dedication, creativity, community involvement, and long-term commitment to music. Funding is distributed across two academic years, which gives recipients longer-term support compared to one-time awards. The scholarship also places value on mentorship and local community engagement alongside musicianship itself.
6. BIG ARTS Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships
Location: BIG ARTS Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships, Sanibel, FL
Stipend: $2,500 – $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors residing in Lee County, Florida, intending to pursue a degree or career in the arts
BIG ARTS scholarships support graduating seniors from Lee County, Florida, who plan to pursue college studies in music, theatre, dance, or visual arts. The awards range from $2,500 to $5,000 and can be used at colleges and universities across the United States. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process focused on artistic commitment, educational plans, and long-term involvement in the arts. For music students, the scholarship can help support undergraduate conservatory or arts training costs after high school.
7. Southeastern Performance Apparel Music Education Scholarship
Location: Southeastern Performance Apparel Music Education Scholarship, Dothan, AL
Stipend: $2,000 (two scholarships awarded, supported with Give A Note Foundation matching funds)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2 recipients selected annually
Dates: student applications due February 19; recipients announced April 16
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Graduating U.S. high school seniors planning to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education
This scholarship supports high school seniors planning to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education after graduation. Before applying, you first need a teacher nomination, after which you complete a multi-part application that includes essays, videos, and additional materials about your involvement in music and education. The selection process looks closely at leadership, service, and long-term interest in teaching through music. Only two scholarships are awarded each year, with support from the Give A Note Foundation helping fund the awards. The program is especially relevant if you already spend time mentoring younger musicians, helping with ensembles, or participating deeply in school music programs.
8. J.W. Pepper 150th Anniversary Scholarship
Location: J.W. Pepper 150th Anniversary Scholarship, Exton, PA
Stipend: $10,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 3 awards granted annually
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle; recipients notified in April, awards paid in August
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school seniors
The J.W. Pepper Scholarship supports high school seniors planning to major in music education at a four-year college or university. The award is merit-based, so the application focuses on academics, leadership, recommendations, extracurricular involvement, and long-term educational goals rather than financial need. Up to three scholarships are awarded each year, with each recipient receiving $10,000 toward undergraduate study. The scholarship is especially relevant if you are already involved in band, choir, orchestra, conducting, or music leadership activities during high school. Since the award is tied specifically to music education, it works best for students planning careers connected to teaching music professionally.
9. Hartford Jazz Society Merit Scholarship
Location: Hartford Jazz Society Scholarship, Hartford, CT
Stipend: $1,000 – $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The Hartford Jazz Society Merit Scholarship supports graduating seniors planning to continue studying music with a focus on jazz performance or jazz studies. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, with applications evaluated through musical submissions and committee review. The scholarship is especially useful if you are involved in jazz ensembles, improvisation, or performance-focused music programs during high school. To receive funding, you must plan to enroll full-time in a college music degree program and provide proof of enrollment after selection. Since the program centers on jazz specifically, performance quality and musical ability play a major role in the selection process.
10. Utah Music Foundation Scholarships
Location: Utah Music Foundation Scholarships, Salt Lake City, UT
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle
Application Deadline: May 3
Eligibility: High school seniors, preferably from Utah (with preference for rural Utah communities), with a background in piano, choral, or vocal performance
The Utah Music Foundation Scholarships support high school seniors with backgrounds in piano, vocal performance, or choral music who plan to continue music involvement after high school. The program especially prioritizes applicants from rural Utah communities, where access to music funding and opportunities may be more limited. The scholarship can help offset college costs while supporting continued musical study and performance. Although the award amount is smaller than some national scholarships, the program is strongly connected to supporting regional musicians and local music communities. The scholarship works especially well if you are active in choir, piano study, or vocal performance during high school.
11. ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters
Location: ASCAP Foundation Leiber and Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters, New York, NY
Stipend: $10,000 (distributed over four years)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1 award granted annually
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: High school seniors or recent high school graduates accepted to an accredited college or university as music majors; applicants should be aspiring songwriters, musicians, instrumentalists, or vocalists
This ASCAP Foundation scholarship supports high school seniors and recent graduates planning to study music while continuing work in songwriting and performance. To apply, you submit an original song and a lyric sheet that are reviewed for artistic ability, originality, and long-term creative potential. The scholarship distributes $10,000 across four years of undergraduate study and sends payments directly to your college or university. The program is especially relevant if you already write original music and want to continue developing as a songwriter while studying music formally. Since the award focuses heavily on songwriting itself, the quality of your submitted composition becomes the central part of the application.
12. Music for Youth Foundation Awards (Bob Genualdi and Dorothy Straub Scholarship)
Location: Music for Youth Foundation Awards, Bridgeport, CT
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2 awards granted annually
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle; awards made at the end of June
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who play a musical instrument and are residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut
The Music for Youth Foundation Awards support high school instrumentalists from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who plan to continue music study after graduation. As part of the application, you submit recordings of two musical performances, and finalists may also be invited for an interview with the scholarship committee. The award focuses on long-term dedication to instrumental performance, musical growth, and future educational plans connected to music. Two scholarships are awarded each year, with funding intended to support continued musical involvement during college or advanced study. The process feels especially performance-centered because recorded playing becomes such a major part of evaluation.
13. Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts
Location: Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $1,000–$2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 awards granted
Dates: Annual scholarship cycle; recipients notified within two weeks of submission
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–24 in Central Florida with financial need, involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, and interest in pursuing education or future involvement in theatre
The Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts supports students involved in theatre who may need financial assistance for educational or artistic development. The scholarship provides awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 and is open to students demonstrating financial need, artistic engagement, and community involvement. You complete an application and may optionally submit supporting materials such as a performance reel, portfolio, or resume. The program is particularly relevant for high school students interested in theatre performance or related performing arts pathways.
14. Singing for Scholarships
Location: Singing for Scholarships, Gulf Shores, AL
Stipend: Up to $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 3 scholarship winners selected; one student representative per Baldwin County high school competes
Dates: Competition held on October 11 during the Annual National Shrimp Festival
Application Deadline: October 11
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a Baldwin County high school program
The Singhaus Scholarship supports students in Central Florida involved in theatre and performing arts who may need financial assistance for training or educational opportunities. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000, and applicants can optionally submit supporting materials like performance reels, resumes, or portfolios alongside the application. The scholarship is open to students connected to the LGBTQ+ community and focuses on both artistic involvement and financial need. The program is especially relevant if you are active in theatre performance, musical theatre, or stage-related arts during high school. Since awards can support both education and artistic development, the funding can be used flexibly across different performing arts goals.
15. National YoungArts Foundation Music Awards
Location: National YoungArts Foundation, Miami, FL
Stipend: $250–$10,000 (cash awards vary by discipline and level)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 11,000 applicants across all disciplines; select winners named across music categories
Dates: Annual competition cycle
Application Deadline: October 16 annually
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 10–12 or ages 15–18 (as of December 1 of the application year); open to classical instrumentalists, jazz musicians, composers, and vocalists
The YoungArts Music Awards are a national competition for high school musicians working in areas like classical performance, jazz, voice, and composition. To apply, you submit audition or portfolio materials that are reviewed by professional artists and adjudicators working specifically in your discipline. Winners receive cash awards ranging from $250 to $10,000 along with mentorship, professional development opportunities, and continued access to the YoungArts alumni network. If you work across multiple music areas, such as jazz performance and composition, you can apply separately in each category through the same application cycle. Winners are also considered for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the country’s highest arts recognitions for high school students. Since the judging process is discipline-specific, selections are based heavily on artistic and technical performance quality within your field.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in music or the performing arts, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Glenn Miller Birthplace Society