Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur
  • Home
  • Performances & Events
  • About the Guild
    • Join the Guild
    • History of the Guild
    • Board of Directors
  • Guild Programs
    • Young Artist Competition Winners
    • Symphony in the Community
    • Music Scholarships
    • Instrument Library
    • Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
  • About MDSO
  • News
  • Education
    • Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
    • Instrument Library
    • Live Performances in Schools
    • Music Scholarships
    • The Need for Music Education

Music Scholarships

Student Music Scholarships

Angelina, 2014 Winner

Angelina, 2014 Winner

The Symphony Guild of Decatur awards yearly scholarships for:

>> Instrumental Private Lessons

>> Piano Private Lessons

>> Instrumental Summer Camps

Music Scholarships for Private Piano Lessons

Jayvon, Violin, 2013 Winner Private Lesson

Gavin, Piano, 2018 Winner

2019 Scholarships
Private Piano Lessons

The value of each scholarship is up to $800

At least 2 Scholarships Available Yearly

Download Application for Music Scholarships. Click Here.

Scholarship Applications due by Friday, February 1, 2019

2019 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PIANO PRIVATE LESSONS

Katelyn and Bailee, 2017 Winners

Katelyn and Bailee, 2017 Winners

The Symphony Guild of Decatur will offer at least two (2) private piano lesson scholarships from a Millikin School of Music teacher, valued up to $800.

Auditions are open to any Macon County student grade 7-11 who studies privately. The Marilyn Mertz Scholarship is designated for a student in 7th or 8th grade and the Margaret Fassnacht Scholarship is designated for a student in 9th-11th grade.

Perform 2 selections showing 2 different styles of playing—fast and slow—from 2 different time periods. The student must provide the original music for the judges with the measures numbered. The selections must not exceed a total of 10 minutes of playing time.

Grace Brewster, Piano, 2017

Guest pianist Ilya Yakushev offered one-on-one coaching in master class sessions with several students, including high school senior Grace Brewster.

The judges would appreciate having a photo and some information about you as they make the final decisions. Feel free to use the back of your form for additional extracurricular activities and biographical information. The photo may also be used for publicity purposes when winners are announced.

Students will be placed for instruction based on playing ability as determined by the Education Committee and Millikin staff. Winners can lose their scholarships if multiple lessons are missed or not set up by the end of September. An alternate winner will then be contacted to receive the scholarship.

Former scholarship winners who receive the recommendation of their Millikin private teachers are welcome to continue private lessons without audition.

Download these guildelines here.


Summer Music Camp Scholarships – Instrumental

Cameron, Jonathan, Rydon, & Zach, 2017 Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra

Cameron, Jonathan, Rydon, & Zach, 2017 Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra

2019 Scholarships

Instrumental Summer Camps

The value of each scholarship is up to $800

At least 4 Scholarships Available Yearly

Scholarship Applications due by Friday, February 1, 2019

 

2019 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INSTRUMENTAL SUMMER CAMPS

Download Application for Music Scholarships. Click Here.The Symphony Guild of Decatur will offer at least four (4) summer music camp scholarships. The value of each scholarship is up to $800 made payable to the camper upon receipt of an acceptance letter in Spring. Additional camp fees must be paid by camper.

Audition spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Band and string applicants may win both a private lesson scholarship and a summer music camp scholarship. Audition spots for previous scholarship winners may be limited, and preference will be given to those who have not previously won a scholarship.

Audition spots will be filled on first come, first served basis. Those applications arriving after auditions have been filled will be added to a waiting list in the order received.

Auditions are open to any 6th-11th grade student who meets any of the following criteria:

  1. resident of Macon County who plays in the school orchestra or band, if available or
  2. member of the Decatur Youth Symphony or
  3. home-schooled Macon County, Illinois student
Henry, 2018 Winner

Henry, 2018 Winner

Perform 1 solo piece, not to exceed 7 minutes, highlighting technical ability and musicality. Provide two copies of music for the judges with the measures numbered. Using an accompanist is required. Millikin student pianists will be available at no cost if desired. Please mark your application if you want to use a Millikin piano student accompanist.

The judges require a photo and some information about you as they make the final decisions. Feel free to use the back of your form for biographical information and additional musical activities. The photo may also be used for publicity purposes when winners are announced, so send a picture you would want to see in a newspaper or program.

The student is responsible for submitting the camp acceptance letter to Dee Keller, as representative of the SGOD by May 3. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the scholarship. An alternate winner will then be contacted to receive the scholarship.

Download these guildelines here.


Music Scholarships for Instrumental Private Lessons

Anthony, 2015 Winner

Anthony, 2015 Winner

2019 Scholarships Instrumental Private Lessons

The value of each scholarship is up to $800

At least 10 Scholarships Available Yearly

Download Application for Music Scholarships. Click Here

Scholarship Applications due by Friday, February 1, 2019

2019 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INSTRUMENTAL PRIVATE LESSONS

The Symphony Guild of Decatur will offer up to 10 private lesson scholarships from a Millikin School of Music teacher. Band and orchestral students will receive 13 one hour lessons, valued up to $800.

Band and string applicants may win both a private lesson scholarship and a summer music camp scholarship. Audition spots for previous scholarship winners will be limited, with preference given to those who have not previously won a scholarship.

Auditions are open to any 6th-11th grade student who meets any of the following criteria:

  1. Resident of Macon County, Illinois, who plays in the school orchestra or band, if available, or
  2. Member of the Decatur Youth Symphony, or
  3. Home-schooled Macon County, Illinois student
Hailey, 2018 Winner

Hailey, 2018 Winner

Perform 1 solo piece, not to exceed 7 minutes, highlighting technical ability and musicality. Provide two copies of music for the judges with the measures numbered. Using an accompanist is required. Millikin student pianists will be available at no cost if desired. Please mark your application if you want to use a Millikin piano student accompanist.

The judges require a photo and some information about you as they make the final decisions. Feel free to use the back of your form for biographical information and additional musical activities. The photo may also be used for publicity purposes when winners are announced, so send a picture you would want to see in a newspaper or program.

Shaelyn, Trumpet, 2018 Winner

Shaelyn, Trumpet, 2018 Winner

Students will be placed for instruction based on playing ability as determined by the Education Committee and Millikin staff. Winners can lose their scholarships if multiple lessons are missed or not set up by the end of September. An alternate winner will then be contacted to receive the scholarship.

Former scholarship winners who receive the recommendation of their Millikin private teachers are welcome to continue private lessons without audition.

Download these guildelines here.


Symphony Guild Music Scholarships

See-Complete-Information


Cameron, Saxophone, 2015 Winner Private Lesson

Cameron, Saxophone, 2015 Winner Private Lesson

Bob Jones Memorial Music Scholarships

Bob Jones graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1946. He placed great value upon his musical training in the Decatur schools and it was his wish to pass the joy of music on to talented Decatur youth.

Margaret Fassnacht Memorial Piano Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to piano students grades 9-11 who have demonstrated outstanding musicianship and piano skills. Margaret Fassnacht was a pianist and music coordinator in the Decatur Public Schools from 1943-1970. She left a legacy of excellence in developing music education curriculum during her tenure in District #61.

Marilyn Mertz Piano Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a developing young pianist in grades 6-8. Marilyn Mertz served on the Symphony Guild board for 25 years, most recently as vice president responsible for music education activities and opportunities for area youth. She was the District #61 music coordinator from 1986-1996, and instituted a nationally recognized mobile piano keyboard curriculum in the Decatur Schools that served third and fourth graders for 15 years.

Mikaela, Oboe, 2015 Winner of Private Lesson

Mikaela, Oboe, 2015 Winner of Private Lesson

Fombelle Sisters Woodwind Scholarship

The Fombelle family is proud to sponsor a private lesson scholarship in honor of their daughters Corinne, a saxophonist, and Victoria, an oboist. Both sisters are past DYSO members and recipients of MDSO Scholarships and trace their musical success back to their private lessons with Dr. Perry Rask and Professor Tina Nicholson through the Millikin Prep Dept. Victoria will graduate with a degree in oboe performance from the Eastman School of Music and Corinne studies saxophone performance at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. The Fombelles want to provide promising young woodwind artists the opportunity to grow in talent, passion, and dedication through individual private lessons with a Millikin professor.

Ella, French Horn, 2016 Winner of Private Lesson

Ella, French Horn, 2016 Winner of Private Lesson

Dean and Dottie Butts Memorial Camp Scholarship

This scholarship was established many years ago by Dottie Butts who was a long-time member of the Symphony Guild Board of Directors. She and her husband, Dean, loved orchestral music, and wanted to continue music opportunities for young musicians by establishing this annual camp scholarship.

Margaret Foley Music Camp Scholarship

Margaret Foley shared her lovely singing voice in school and in her church choir. In later years, she enjoyed attending MDSO concerts. In keeping with her life-long love of music, Margaret Foley named the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur in her will. Her bequest, received in 2014, provides the funds for this annual camp scholarship.


Through these scholarships, the lives of our promising young musicians become richer. In return, the recipients help to ensure the continuance of symphonic music in the future. Donated scholarships are tax deductible.

Symphony News

  • Sergey Bogza

    Dr. Sergey Bogza Hosts Pre-Concert Talks Series

  • Mikaela, Oboe, 2015 Winner of Private Lesson

    Guild Awards Scholarships for 2018-2019 Private Lessons, Music Camps

    Concerts & Events

    • MAHLER: Reception History and Performance Practices
      • Tuesday, February 26, 2019 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
    • MAHLER’S RESURRECTION SYMPHONY: His Religion, Spirituality and Beliefs
      • Friday, March 1, 2019 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
    • Masterworks IV
      • Saturday, March 2, 2019 7:30 pm
    • Click here to view all events

    Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur
    Post Office Box 1541 | Decatur, IL 62525-1541

    The Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur is a 501(c)3 organization. Your donations may be tax deductible within the limits of the law.


    About MDSO | 2018-2019 Season | News & Events | Education | Join the Guild | History of the Guild
    Contact Us| Site Map | Privacy Policy | Home

    © 2013-2018 Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur.
    Web Design by Blue Heron Web Design, Apps & Graphics, LLC.