Music Scholarship and Awards

General Information

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Music offers a variety of scholarships and awards based on:

  • Talent and ability
  • Academic achievement
  • Dedication and effort
  • Financial need

These opportunities fall into three main categories:

  1. Performance Grants (for incoming and current students)
  2. Endowed Scholarships and Awards (for continuing students)
  3. Presser Scholar Award (prestigious national recognition)

Performance Grants

Performance grants are available to undergraduate and graduate students and support participation in UTC ensembles.

Awards are based on competitive auditions. Requirements may include:

  • Participation in large ensembles
  • Enrollment in applied lessons

Grants are renewable for up to four years, provided all requirements are met.

Endowed Scholarships and Awards

These scholarships are awarded to continuing students based on achievement, need, or area of study.

Authors and Artists Club Scholarship

Awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrates:

  • Artistic talent
  • Academic success
  • Financial need
  • No audition required
  • May be split among multiple students
  • Renewable with continued enrollment in music

Earl and Judy Brown Trumpet Scholarship

Awarded to a trumpet player in the UTC Marching Band.

  • Selected by the Department Head and Director of Bands
  • Renewable annually

Roland Carter Endowed Scholarship

Awarded to a music major who demonstrates:

  • Academic achievement
  • Promise in performance or research in American music

Preference is given to graduates of Howard High School (Chattanooga).

Glenn Draper Music Scholarship

Awarded to a student who:

  • Demonstrates academic success and/or financial need
  • Participates in UTC choral ensembles
  • No audition required
  • Preference given to music majors

Nancy Dryden Voice Scholarship

Awarded to a soprano or alto who is a rising junior or senior vocal music major.

  • Selected during the spring vocal juries
  • Supports two students annually

Sharon Gilley Scholarship

Awarded to a vocal music major in performance or education who participates in UTC Opera.

  • Based on a competitive audition

Guthrie Quartet Scholarships

Four scholarships of $10,000 per year (up to $40,000 total) are awarded to:

  • Tenor I
  • Tenor II
  • Baritone
  • Bass

Recipients:

  • Perform with UTC choral ensembles
  • Represent UTC through performances and travel

Open to both music majors and non-majors

Contact: [email protected] for audition information

Arthur Rivituso Piano Scholarship

Awarded to an advanced piano student.

  • Preference given to previous recipients
  • Selected by the Coordinator of Piano Studies

Edmonia J. Simmons Endowed Scholarship in Music

Awarded to a music or music education major who demonstrates:

  • Musical talent
  • Academic success
  • Financial need
  • No audition required

Stanton Palmer Trumpet Scholarship

Awarded to a trumpet or brass student pursuing music education.

Requirements:

  • Member of UTC Marching Band and Jazz Band

Selected by the Trumpet Professor and Director of Bands.

Tony D’Andrea Music Scholarship

Awarded to a music major who participates in:

  • Marching Band
  • Concert Bands

Selected by the Director of Bands and Associate Director of Bands.

Living and Learning Communities

Music students may also apply to the Performing Arts Living and Learning Community, which supports collaboration and community engagement.

For More Information about Music Row

UTC Academic Scholarships

UTC offers additional institutional scholarships, with deadlines beginning December 1.

Major awards include:

Music

Music