Scholarship Information

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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.

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 Friday, February 26th, 2021 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.

Members of the faculty will review all auditions and select recipients. All scholarship offers will be made on or near April 1. Approximately 25-30 students will receive a one-time scholarship gift (maximum of $1,500 for in-state recipients and $2,500 for out-of-state recipients.)

Deadline to Apply is January 31st, 2021:

• Please fill out and submit your Leath Scholarship Application by this date.
• Leath Scholarship Application

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.”  

• • Jazz Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone Instructions:
    • Play through the entire required etude with the accompaniment recording, playing the etude as written the first time and improvising using the chord changes the second time.
    • Play scale requirement on the second page.
  • Jazz Piano, Guitar, Vibe Instructions:
    • Play a short prepared piece of your choice to demonstrate your skill level.
    • You should also play the following required etude as written with the accompaniment track the first time through and improvise over the changes the 2^nd time through.
  • Jazz Bass Instructions:
    • For either String or Electric bass play a short piece of your choice to demonstrate your skill level. 
    • You should also play the following required etude with the accompaniment track as written the first time and with a walking bass line the second time following the chord changes.
  • Jazz Drums Instructions:
    • Play 8 bars of the following time feels:
      • Medium Swing
      • Fast Swing
      • Bossa
      • Samba
      • Funk or Hip Hop
    • You should also play the following required etude as written the first time, then trading fours the second time.
• 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 prepare two, two octave major scales.
  • Violin players should choose two from A, C, or E-flat major
  • Viola/Cello players should choose two from D, F, or A major
  • 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 Friday, February 26th, 2020 at 11:59 PM to Recruitment & Communications Specialist, Caitlin (caitlin@purdue.edu).
• All video submissions must be unlisted YouTube links. Links via Dropbox or mp4/audio attachments will not be accepted.

Please include the following in your Video Audition, before you begin to play:

• 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 in the house 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).

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