2025 PMEA Music for Lifelong Learning Award
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The PMEA Music-for-Lifelong-Learning Award is in memory of Donald Edward Stark & Paul Francis Fox, engineers and supporters of music education. This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, undergraduate or graduate science-technology-engineering-mathematics major in an accredited PA institution who has completed at least four semesters. The candidate for this award must also be enrolled for at least three semesters in a music performance ensemble (i.e. band, chamber music, chorus, jazz or orchestra). The amount ($3,500 - $5,000) and number of scholarships available may vary from year to year.
This scholarship is nonrenewable and will be paid directly to the selected candidate as reimbursement for college tuition, dorm/apartment rent, meals on campus, textbook expenses, and/or the purchase of a new instrument (must provide receipts for the candidate's proof of payment.)
Criteria for selection
- Submission of college transcript that reflects: Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics major at a PA college/university; Completion of four semesters or 48 credits, Cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher; an "A" grade or equivalent for enrollment of at least three semesters in a music performance ensemble (i.e. band, chamber ensemble, choir, jazz ensemble, etc.)
- Letter of recommendation from a music performance ensemble director who leads an ensemble in which you have participated that cites both musical and non-musical contributions to the ensemble. Letter should include name/position/phone/email of the ensemble director.
- Demonstration of performance skills (recorded video) or submission of composition(s)
- Portfolio of "music for lifelong learning" artifacts that includes: a) Evidence of participation in high school and college music ensembles (programs, print or social media postings, letters from ensemble directors, etc.) that verify participation; b) Evidence of involvement with music-related STEM or STEAM activities/projects/coursework at the high school and/or college level; c) Essay: Music and Lifelong Learning, which provides a short belief statement about the value of music study/performance as a skill relevant to lifelong learning and the statement is supported with personal experiences of ways in which past and current participation in music study/performance is connected to your pursuit of a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Essay should also include ways in which you plan to continue music study/performance as part of your future career, community or personal development.
Blind judging by PMEA members with at least one member from the PMEA Council of Teacher Training, Recruitment, and Retention, PMEA EXCOM, or PMEA staff
Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 30, 2025