pickinchickNikki - Posted - 04/14/2015:  18:17:32

Hello, I'm looking For college scholarships for my daughter who plays banjo. There has to be some out there somewhere I hear there are some for playing golf or having red hair. My daughter, Nikki, a Jr. In high school, has been playing since she was 9 years old, she is now 17. She has been in a successful bluegrass band for 6 years consisting of all teenagers in which one is her sister. If you have any links or websites it would be very much appreciated!

nograss5150 - Posted - 04/14/2015:  18:36:10

Thanks for looking, dad.  She needs a strong advocate in her corner to cut through the red tape.  My wife did that for a niece a few years ago and it took her a year but was successful. Wish I knew of a lead for you to pursue. :-)

morgensd - Posted - 04/14/2015:  18:44:39

Her best bet is probably to find a music school with a banjo-friendly program.  Pick some schools and call the admissions department. They will be able to tell you whether banjo players can find a home there. All schools have some scholarships and other financial aid available.

looks like Berklee might be an option.  

ibma.org/press/archives/banjo-...ege-music

Edited by - morgensd on 04/14/2015 18:45:02

maneckep - Posted - 04/14/2015:  20:01:14

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has a great Bluegrass program and I assume scholarships. My son went there but not in the Bluegrass program.

Check them out for sure.

mdthib - Posted - 04/14/2015:  21:09:48

What you don't mention in your post is whether or not your daughter wants to study music, or just keep playing while majoring in another subject. As a professor for nearly ten years at various schools of music, I can tell you that scholarships have typically been established for need areas in a music program, or by endowments. So, double bass players and bassoonists have often been enticed by schools through scholarships, but flautists are typically out of luck. There may be schools where banjo is needed, but I'm unaware of any. And these scholarships are typically restricted to music majors.

Now, there may be a scholarship for a banjoist at a school with a wealthy banjo alumnus (in other words, someone who played banjo as hobby while running a hedge fund). This would be the place to try to find out. 

Doconc - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:44:32

Colorado college in Colorado springs has a bluegrass program.  Not sure about any scholarships

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:49:56

My Son is currently enrolled as a Bluegrass major at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). He received a merit based scholarship for his musicianship and we only have to hemorrhage in state tuition cost at that state school. 

Karl is now finishing up his 3rd year and is the mandolin player for the ETSU Bluegrass pride band. They are worth a You Tube search to see a professional quality bluegrass band with plenty of drive and a early bluegrass vibe.

Bob Smakula

CarolinaPicker - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:50:47

jmod - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:52:10

Yes, ETSU is a viable option with some great players coming out of there.  I would definitely look there.  It also puts her right in the middle of a bluegrass hotbed being in east TN, just across the border from western NC, just south of KY and close to south VA as well.

CarolinaPicker - Posted - 04/15/2015:  04:53:16

Bethel University

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/15/2015:  05:08:53

You don't say where you're from so I'm not sure what area you're looking at for a college, but there's a 2 year degree in bluegrass/music at South Plains College in Levelland, TX.  I presume they have scholarships like most colleges/universities do. 

Gus Bloch - Posted - 04/15/2015:  06:19:19

If she's already in a successful Bluegrass band, seeking a college degree in this topic might be moot. With the cost of college now well through the roof, it is wise to pursue an education that would offer a clear career path in a field that one is passionate about. Many musicians need a good day job and it is best to have one that is somewhat satisfying and could eventually lead to earning a decent living.

Her musical talents will certainly be a big plus for admission and financial aid to many colleges. Play it for all its worth, including links to her band's website, videos, etc. 

Many serious college music programs prioritize those students who major in music education or classical/jazz performance and have little to offer students in other majors or interested in alternative styles. A school in the right locale that offers registration for Fine Arts courses and performance ensembles to all students in addition to a solid liberal arts or specific career path education  might prove most attractive.

jswkingsfield - Posted - 04/15/2015:  07:18:08

Might check into the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, has a banjoist on its faculty. 

pearcemusic - Posted - 04/15/2015:  07:21:29

My daughter got a nice 5 string banjo scholarship at The Masters College in Santa Clarita, CA.

I was the teacher at that point but no longer teach there. They don't have a bluegrass program but have a great trad classical program.

Edited by - pearcemusic on 04/15/2015 07:22:42

Brerrabbit - Posted - 04/15/2015:  08:12:43

Yes. Check out ETSU    etsu.edu/das/bluegrass/

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 04/15/2015:  15:53:53

Berklee is now a fully accredited college. For several years we did a lot of summer jamming with a group of Berklee kids who came from the Durham area. They said the music scene at Berklee is excellent, and being exposed to so many different kinds of music and musicians helps them choose a course for their careers. It isn't all jazzmen and future college music profs anymore.

palmettopicker - Posted - 04/15/2015:  18:31:07

ETSU does have scholarship opportunities etsu.edu/das/bluegrass/scholar...ault.aspx