Scholarships

The Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is committed to recognizing talent and potential through merit-based scholarship awards. 

How to Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships 

  • Students should apply early action before November 1 to be eligible for University merit scholarship. 
  • Students need to complete an audition before March 1 to be eligible for Dewberry School of Music scholarship. 
  • Students eligible for Music scholarships are automatically considered after completing an audition. No additional application or information is necessary. The only exception is the Monson Scholars Program, which requires a separate application. 
"The Peterson Endowment in Vocal Arts has made it possible for me to attend the program that met all my criteria. Because of this generous gift, I can pursue the vocal education I need for the success of my career, and I can continue to serve at a university that has given me so much. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and I intend to show it through diligent work and continued service to GMU and to the community.” – Crystal Golden

How to Apply for Graduate Scholarships

  • Students are automatically considered for scholarships once an audition has been completed. 
  • The Presidential scholarship is offered to select Doctoral applicants with a 20-hour-per-week research-based work requirement. 
    • An additional salary of $22,000 for the academic year. 
    • And a tuition grant covering nine credit hours in the fall and nine credit hours in the spring. 

Please contact Emily Craine with any questions.

Scholarship Requiring a Separate Application

Monson Scholars Program

Note: Undergraduate and Masters students are eligible for the Monson Scholar award. Doctoral students are not eligible for the Monson Scholar awards.

The purpose of the Dr. Linda Apple Monson Scholars program is to identify and attract new students of extraordinary performance ability and deep intellectual curiosity who will embody the term Artist-Scholar. We are seeking to recruit a new generation of promising performing artists and leaders to the Dewberry School of Music at Mason. Selected Monson Scholars will receive generous financial support for their study and performance participation at Mason (4 years for incoming freshmen and 2 years for incoming master of music candidates), thus enabling them to further develop their talents and skills under the guidance and mentorship of our outstanding faculty.

Students are selected for the Monson Scholars program based on the following criteria: 

  • Artistic merit of the highest caliber, with an exceptional performance profile 
  • A highly successful academic history, as well as a desire for further intellectual exploration 
  • Personal capacity for leadership and commitment to the Mason IDEA—our core institutional values 

Students who wish to be considered should plan to submit the following supplemental scholarship application: 

  • A completed George Mason University Application
  • Completed FAFSA on file with George Mason University
    • This is for undergraduate applicants only. Graduate applicants do not need to complete a FAFSA
  • Completed supplemental Monson Scholar application
  • Video of solo musical performance. This video should be a representative sample of current performance skills. While there are no specific repertoire requirements for each instrument or voice, we would like to see students performing at a high level as soloists (or with piano accompaniment as appropriate). A combination of solo works and orchestral excerpts are acceptable for orchestral and band instruments. This video is not a pre-screening, but serves as part of the supplemental application for the Monson Scholars award. This video also does not replace your Dewberry School of Music entrance audition. We ask that Master of Music students submit the same video used as their graduate pre-screening. You are not required to create a separate video for the Monson Scholars application.

The deadline for consideration is February 15, 2024. However, you may complete your Dewberry School of Music entrance audition after this date. The day of your audition will not affect your consideration for this award. 

Monson Scholars Program FAQs

Timeline for Monson Scholars selection

September-January

  • Complete University Application and Monson Scholar application 
  • Schedule an audition via the school of music website
  • Complete FAFSA form (Undergraduate applicants only)
  • Prepare video

February 15

  • Submit all required materials 

October-February  

  • Complete Dewberry School of Music audition 

February

  • Faculty Panel reviews applications

February-March

  • Notification of award

April 15

  • Graduate student deadline for acceptance of Monson Artist-Scholar award
  • Notify both the University and the Dewberry School of Music of your intent to accept the award and enroll at George Mason University

May 1

  • Undergraduate student deadline for acceptance of Monson Artist-Scholar Award
  • Notify both the University and the Dewberry School of Music of your intent to accept the award and enroll at George Mason University

How are Monson Scholars selected and who is eligible for the award? 

In addition to the Monson Scholars application, students who wish to be considered for the Monson Scholar award must successfully complete an on-campus audition for the Dewberry School of Music. A faculty committee will review all audition and application materials and make final decisions. The Monson Scholars program is open to exceptional performers in the classical and jazz areas at the BM and MM levels—orchestral and band instrumentalists, pianists, and vocalists. 

How many Monson Scholars will be selected? 

There are not a set amount of Monson Scholars awards. We are looking for the most qualified artist-scholars who are highly skilled performers, have a strong interest in matriculating at Mason, and wish to contribute to our program in a leadership capacity. Awards will be offered accordingly.  

Since this is a highly competitive program, students who are interested should be sure to complete the application and supplementary materials by February 15, 2023. Students who do not receive a Monson Scholar award may be eligible for other scholarships from the Dewberry School of Music. 

What will I be expected to do as a Monson Scholar? 

Monson Scholars should demonstrate the highest level of excellence in every endeavor at George Mason University. Scholars should contribute to the University community in ways that uphold the Mason Core IDEA. They will serve as leaders, role models and positive examples of both artists and citizens to our community, school, and University. 

Monson Scholars will maintain a high level of performance profile as principal players in our large ensembles, singing major roles in opera and musical theater productions, and performing as collaborative pianists. 

How long does the award last? 

The Monson Scholars award will be a 4-year award for incoming freshmen and a 2-year award for incoming MM students.  Continued designation as a Monson Scholar is contingent upon satisfactory fulfillment of the Dewberry School of Music’s academic and performance requirements. 

Does my video submission serve as a pre-screening? 

For undergraduate students, the video is part of the Monson Scholar application and is not a pre-screening. You may schedule your on-campus audition at any time, after submission of your University application. Masters students will submit a pre-screening as part of the standard graduate application and should submit the same pre-screening videos as the video request on the Monson Scholar application.

May I audition for the School of Music before completing my Monson Scholar application? 

Yes, you may audition at any time. Please ensure your Monson Scholars application is submitted by February 15, 2023. You may submit it earlier if you plan to audition on an earlier date.

Peterson Family Scholarship Endowment in the Vocal Arts

The Vocal Studies Area of the Dewberry School of Music is deeply grateful for the generous support of The Peterson Family and the Peterson Family Foundation in creating the Peterson Family Scholarship Endowment in the Vocal Arts. Carolyn and Milton Peterson have been longtime supporters of the Mason Vocal Studies Area, the School of Music, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Their transformative gift to the College of Visual and Performing Arts makes possible this exciting new scholarship endowment in the vocal arts. 

Based on a successful audition with the School of Music and acceptance into George Mason University, the Peterson Family Scholarship Endowment in the Vocal Arts offers substantial support for outstanding undergraduate or graduate vocal students to pursue a degree in Vocal Performance at George Mason University and study with outstanding internationally recognized artist faculty. 

The Mason Vocal Studies Area is seeking gifted artists on the path to performance careers—students with a deep interest in the art of vocal performance, who wish to study and perform opera, oratorio, art song, and lieder at the highest level. These highly competitive Peterson Vocal Scholar awards are offered to a very limited number of new outstanding candidates who are beginning their music studies at George Mason University

Based on a successful audition with the Dewberry School of Music and acceptance into George Mason University, the Peterson Family Scholarship Endowment in the Vocal Arts offers substantial support for outstanding undergraduate or graduate vocal students to pursue a degree in Vocal Performance at George Mason University and study with outstanding internationally recognized artist faculty. 

For more information, please contact Professor Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies.

$5 Million Commitment for Scholarships

In the Fall of 2020, at the Grand Piano Celebration, the Dewberry School of Music honored Sid Dewberry for his lifetime spirit of generosity including his latest $5 Million Commitment for Scholarships.

 

Image: School of Music students with Sid Dewberry (center) and Dr. Linda Monson (far left).