Music Scholarships
The Buffalo State Music Department is pleased to offer performance scholarships to musically qualified instrumentalists and vocalists who wish to major in music or music education.
All auditions are eligible for Scholarships.
Awards
Awards range in size from $500-$3,000 per academic year and are renewable for a maximum of four years. Award amounts are based on both musical and academic qualifications, available funding, the current needs of the Music Department.
Notification
Written notification will only be sent to those who receive a scholarship offer. Scholarship notification will be sent no later than the second week of April. As per NASM guidelines, students will have until May 1 to acknowledge the award and sign a letter of commitment.
Qualifications
Musical qualifications are assessed at the entrance audition and interview with the music faculty. Every student, who is academically qualified, will automatically be given scholarship consideration. See the scholarship descriptions below for specific requirements.
Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS)
CAPS is Buffalo State’s scholarship system. Students sign in annually to complete a general application and are auto-matched to scholarships that they immediately qualify for - requiring no further action. To view other scholarships for consideration, select “Recommended” under “Opportunities”, additional action may be needed. CAPS has various application cycles, check for posted deadline dates.
Named Scholarships
Louis P. Ciminelli Endowed Music Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 2.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Jacqueline V. LoRusso Endowed Music Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 2.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Edna Rosner Rowland Endowed Music Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance with preference given to pianists.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 2.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Edward P. and Lois R. Klein Endowed Music Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance with preference given to pianists.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 2.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
George and Joan Steinmiller Richmond Endowed Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance with preference to woodwind students.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 2.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Barbara L. Czurles and Donald J. Nelson Scholarship in Music
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on jury performance.
- Must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at Buffalo State
- Must be a full-time student with a major in Music or Music Education
- Must maintain minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major, and 2.5 GPA overall
- Demonstrated academic and artistic excellence and promise for the future
- Renewable for up to three total years of funding
Melinda Mary Kontos Music Education Scholarship
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance with preference given to string students.
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music Education
- Must maintain minimum 3.0 overall GPA
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Lee Ann Grace Music Scholarship in Voice
Awarded by the Voice Faculty based on audition performance
- Freshman and Transfer students eligible
- Must major in Music with a concentration in voice
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Music Department Scholarships
Awarded by the Music Faculty based on audition performance.
- Freshman student
- Must major in Music or Music Education
- Minimum 87 High School Average
- Renewable for up to four total years of funding
Paul R. and Kathryn M. Homer Endowed Music Award
Established in celebration of Paul Homer's 75th birthday, this award will be presented annually to a student with:
- Demonstrated talent in music performance, as determined by juried critique
- A sophomore (45 to 59 credit hours)
- Maintained minimum GPA of 3.0 in his/her major, and 2.5 overall, and
- Demonstrated musicality based on jurie
Mary A. Mancuso Endowed American Music Award
Established by Chuck Mancuso, professor of music, in memory of his mother, Mary A. Mancuso.
- This award is to be given annually to a student who exhibits excellence in the pursuit of scholarship in the areas of American popular music and film.
- The recipient of this award will be selected by Professor Mancuso from among students in all of his classes.
Lenore Rollett Wright Award for Achievement in Music
Established by Lenore Rollett Wright and her daughter, Laraine Wright, in honor of Lenore Rollett Wright and in commemoration of her lifelong love of classical music.
This award is to be presented annually to a senior in music who is nominated by faculty for his or her outstanding instrumental or vocal performance, or outstanding academic achievement in the music curriculum at Buffalo State.