About the Scholarships
Instruments, cellos, violins and violas, are placed through Scholarships which are intended for musicians planning a career in music. Scholarships are loans of instruments and are two years in length but may be renewed at the convenience of the Foundation. The Foundation bears the expense of acquiring and owning the instruments. The Scholar makes semi-annual contributions to a fund to insure and maintain the instrument. The Scholar is obligated to submit to the Foundation twice each year a synopsis of the Scholar’s current activities in music which is passed on to the patron who provided the instrument. The Scholar accepts responsibility for maintaining the instrument in the condition it was upon receipt. Scholars who are under twenty-one years of age must have an adult cosigner to the Scholarship. Instruments are examined periodically by a Foundation approved Luther to assure they are being properly maintained. Scholars agree to perform at Foundation-sponsored events.
How Are Scholarships Awarded
Scholarships are placed through periodic competitions. Submissions are evaluated for musical competence, financial resources, instrument need and how a better instrument would affect the musician’s career. Evaluation of the musician’s musical competence is done blind, based on recorded submissions, by skilled judges. Musicians are then matched with available instruments. Typically Scholarships are placed within sixty days after the competition has closed.
Among the frequently asked questions are:
Q. What do you mean by musical competence?
A. Judges are asked to evaluate the musician relative to their age and stage of study. Thus, a young musician can effectively compete with older musicians.
Q. Is there an age limitation?
A. No.
Q. Is there a residence limitation.
A. Yes, the musician must reside and maintain the instrument in the United States or Canada.
Q. May professional musicians apply?
A. No. The Scholarship program focuses on students who usually have limited opportunities to earn funds and thus to acquire an instrument.
Q. What kind of instruments does the Foundationhave to place?
A. The Foundation has a growing pool of instruments. At any one time there maybe few or several available for placement. Instruments available vary widely in character and one of the Foundation’s challenges in any competition is to match the Scholar with an appropriate instrument. The Foundation currently has access to instruments whose values range from $10,000 to about $55,000.
Q. If I am awarded a Scholarship, do I have to take the instrument the Foundation has chosen for me?
A. No. If the Scholar declines the offered instrument, the Scholarship is voided. If declined, there is no assurance that another instrument will be available.
Q. What is the Foundation’s goal?
A. The Foundation intends to act as a bridge to help the Scholar move from one level of skill to the next higher level by having access to a better instrument than the one they presently play.
Q. How to I apply for a Scholarship?
A. Applications may be found at the Scholarship Application tab of this site.