Festival ScholarShip Info

Individual Scholarships

Individual applicants will be selected to receive scholarships up to $500 which may be applied to individual lessons or a traditional music camp/program of the applicant’s choice. Past scholarship winners have attended the Augusta Heritage Arts Festival, the Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week at Mars Hill, NC, and Steve Kaufman’s Guitar and Mandolin Camp or have elected to have private lessons paid for over a continuing period. Scholarship winners can select from classes in all levels of fiddle, banjo, guitar, acoustic bass, lap dulcimer or mandolin.

Only students/musicians of traditional acoustic music instruments age 18 and younger need apply. All applicants must be residents of the Central Appalachian Region. Preference will be given to NEW applicants and applicants who are not yet accomplished musicians.

Complete applications must include (1) a completed Application Form, (2) two letters of reference, (3) an audio or video recording demonstrating the applicant’s musicianship, and (4) a 200-word essay explaining why the applicant would like the scholarship and how he or she plans to use it.

Grants to Non-profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations teaching traditional music to students may apply and be selected to receive a grant up to $1,000 to fund instructors, student fees or general operating expenses. Only one application per non-profit agency will be accepted. A non- profit grant application packet must include (1) program history and objectives, (2) structure of program, target population and number of children served, (3) key artists and organizations involved, (4) annual operating expense and projected use of grant money and (5) proof of non-profit status.

Deadline

Applications must be mailed and postmarked by March 1 of each year. Download the below form and mail to:

WCH Music Scholarships
P.O. Box 531
Galax, VA 24333

Notification

Winners will be notified by April 15 each year.

Scholarship Winners

ALL SCHOLARSHIP WINNINGS MUST BE USED BY MAY 30 OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR OR BE FORFEITED and RE-ALLOCATED TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.

Jam Programs

Fees for JAM Programs will be paid directly to the JAM Program.  Recipients will be responsible for their own JAM registration. After registering, the JAM Program Director must complete the JAM section of the WCH Scholarship Reimbursement Form below, sign, and submit to the address on the form to receive payment for JAM instruction.

Music Camps

Fees for Music Camps will be paid directly to the Music Camp. Information on music camps is made available at the time of notification. Recipients will be responsible for their own registration. After registering, the scholarship recipient must complete the Music Camp section of the WCH Scholarship Reimbursement Form below and submit to the address on the form.

Private Lessons

Fees for private lessons will be paid directly to the music instructor. The instructor must complete the Individual Lessons section of the WCH Scholarship Reimbursement Form below, sign, and submit to the address on the form to receive payment for any lessons provided. Reimbursement will only be made after music lessons have been received. Your music instructor must document dates & cost of instruction.

Teacher Reimbursement

Reimbursement will only be made AFTER music lessons have been received. Your music instructor must document dates & cost of instruction on the below form.