Scholarship Information


Each year, Purdue Bands & Orchestras awards over $250,000 in scholarship support. With a department of 1000+ students, we want to be sure no student is denied the opportunity to continue playing and performing at the collegiate level.

Incoming freshman instrumentalists have the opportunity to audition for the Leath Scholarship in February.

Upperclassmen (sophomores-seniors) apply for scholarships via an online application form each semester.  Selection is determined by the faculty. This opportunity is open to every student who is enrolled in one of our classes at the time applications are due.

The applications below may be completed online and submitted online to Janet Baker at baker20@purdue.edu.

C & L Sims Marching Band Scholarship
Charles Haas Memorial Scholarship
Charles and Anna Mae Miller Band Scholarship
David M. Martin University Bands Scholarship
Fall Concert Band Scholarship
Hull Woodwind Scholarship

Leath Scholarship

Incoming freshman instrumentalists will have the opportunity to audition virtually for the Leath Scholarship. The Leath Scholarship is an all-virtual audition. All video audition submissions will be due by Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at 11:59 PM. For more information regarding video submissions, see below.

This scholarship opportunity is open to instrumentalists only. Auditions for pianists are strictly limited to jazz piano.

This audition is for scholarship only. A separate audition for ensemble placement will be required this summer.

Members of the faculty will review all auditions and select recipients. Approximately 20-30 students will receive a one-time scholarship gift. (Scholarship amount is approximately $1,000 for in-state students and $2,000 for out-of-state students. Amount varies from year to year. Subject to change.)

Deadline to Apply is January 31, 2024:

Audition Material Information:

  • Jazz Auditions: Students wishing to audition as a jazz instrumentalist will need to prepare the following – Access the required etudes here and carefully read instructions. The password is “audition.”
  • Concert Band & Orchestra Auditions:
    • Students wishing to audition as a classical instrumentalist should prepare an advanced, professional level solo piece, without accompaniment. Your piece should be a few minutes, showing contrasting styles. You may make any necessary cuts. Please direct questions regarding what would be considered suitable advanced repertoire to your private teacher or band/orchestra director.
    • Concert Band instrumentalists should also include two, two octave major scales.
    • Violin players should choose two from A, C, or E-flat major. Three octaves, ascending and descending.
    • Viola/Cello players should choose two from D, F, or A major. Three octaves, ascending and descending.
    • Bass players should choose two from E, F, or G major. Three octaves, ascending and descending.
  • Can I audition for Jazz and Concert/Orchestra?
      • If you would like to audition as a jazz and classical instrumentalist, you may prepare for both auditions.
      • You will be required to submit 2 separate audition videos. Please answer the appropriate questions in each video submission, since different directors will be reviewing each submission.

Virtual Auditions:

  • All video audition submissions will be due by Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at 11:59 PM. 
  • All video submissions must be unlisted YouTube links. Links via Dropbox or mp4/audio attachments will not be accepted.
  • Please submit your YouTube video audition link here: Submit Leath Scholarship Audition.

Please include the following within your video audition and video post description:

  • Name
  • Instrument
  • Hometown/State
  • Have you been accepted to Purdue?
  • Have you accepted your admit to Purdue?
  • Name and composer of the piece you are playing

Tips for a Successful Video Audition:

  • Focus on sound quality of the recording space. We recognize everyone is limited with where they can record, but try to choose a space that will be conducive, and do a few audio tests to make sure your sound is clear.
  • Check the lighting in your recording space to be certain you are visible and not obstructed by shadows or bright light.

Questions? Email Caitlin (caitlin@purdue.edu).

 


Thank you to our donors!

Al & Gladys Wright Hall of Fame Award
Bill and Gail Cordier Scholarship
Bill Moffit Awesome Band Member Scholarship
Black & Gold Legacy Scholarship
Bob and Trudy Hull Band Scholarship
Carlyle and Louann Sims Purdue “All-American” Marching Band Scholarship
Carolyn Gephart Oboe Scholarship
Chameleon Jazz Band Scholarship
Charles Hass Memorial Scholarship
Charles and Anna Mae Miller Band Scholarship
Concert Band Scholarship
David Foertsch Memorial Brass Award
David M. Martin Band Scholarship
David and Ashlea Varca Principal Cello Scholarship
Dingledine Twirling Line Scholarship
Emery Steiner Memorial Scholarship
Gordon and Carole Mallett Orchestra Scholarship
Hagle Scholars
Herb & Janice Wilson Band Student in Engineering Scholarship
Howard Family Big Bass Drum Scholarship
Jesse O. Ballard Band Scholarship
Joe & Kathleen Berger Jazz Band Scholarship
John W. Dudley Sousaphone/Tuba Scholarship
John W. Ryan Scholarship
Dr. Judith Pounds Sindlinger Band Scholarship
June & Jerry Lauer Golden Girl Scholarship
Karen Steinhoff Price Memorial Scholarship
Kohl Chief of Staff Scholarship
Lillian & R.B. Stewart Award of Musical Excellence
Lisa Todd Girl-in-Black Scholarship
Lynn Michelle LeMay Memorial Flute Award
Martin-Dodd Jazz Band Scholarship
Maxine Lefever “All-American” Percussionist Award
Mike Allen Drum Major Scholarship
Molly Barber Memorial Band Scholarship
Morikis Family Percussion Leadership Scholarship
Paul “Spotts” Emrick Award
Paul Towner Outstanding Trombonist Award
Pauline & Suzanne Wiscaver-Alston Scholarship
Purdue Orchestra Scholarship
R. Owen Severance Scholarship
Richard & Connie Grade Award of Honor
Rick Wunder Memorial Scholarship
Robert & Trudy Hull Band Scholarship
Robert H. Booth Memorial Scholarship
Silver Twins Scholarship
Stephen A. Moyer Marching Band Scholarship
Threatt Marching Band Scholarship
Tom Riley Principal Trumpet Scholarship
Tom Miller “All-American” Marching Band Scholarship
Vanessa Dingledine Twirling Scholarship
Wilson Student Leader Band Scholarship

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