All music scholarships and grants are administered through the performance areas. To be considered for a scholarship the student must perform an audition for a panel of no less than three Music faculty members. One must be the director of his/her program area (band, choir, opera, orchestra, keyboard). One must be the applied teacher of the student's principal instrument and the other must be a full-time Music faculty member from any area. Specific audition information and requirements can be obtained through each performance area.
In order to have all paperwork processed before the beginning of the Fall semester, students are encouraged to have all scholarship and financial aid application materials in to the Office of Financial Aid by March 1.
The most up to date information on scholarships can be obtained from the Coordinator of Scholar Dollar$ in the office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences in Breland Hall.
For more information on any of the following scholarships please call (575) 646-2421 or email music@nmsu.edu.
Audition requirements, by instrument, can be found on the Auditions page.
To schedule an audition, please contact one of the following:
- Winds and Percussion: Christopher Hughes, (575) 646-2304
- Vocal: Suzanne Dueño, (575) 646-2067
- Strings: Jorge Martinez-Rios, (575) 646-1647
- Keyboard: Dr. Laura Spitzer, (575) 646-2228
General Music Scholarships
RUTHENA C. KING MEMORIAL
Varying amounts annually for a student who is majoring or minoring in music. If no music major is eligible, award may be made to student who will actively participate in a music program at NMSU. The student will be required to maintain a 2.0 GPA. Recipient must be a resident of Otero County. Apply to the Music Department. Donated by friends of Mrs. King.
SARAH L. WOOTEN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible candidates must be music majors with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Donated by Ray Wooten.
VIVIEN B. HEAD SCHOLARSHIPS
Open to undergraduate music majors including incoming freshmen and transfers. Varying amounts annually to a full-time student pursuing a degree in music, art, or theatre arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have need of financial assistance to obtain an education, be of good moral attitude and character, have demonstrated ability and aptitude to pursue their chosen field, and must believe in the free enterprise system. Applications are available in the spring from the Music, Art, or Theater departments. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, Las Cruces.
Instrumental Scholarships
LAS CRUCES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE STIPENDS
Varying amounts for string musicians who will perform with the Las Cruces Symphony at NMSU. Applied study on the instrument is required. Apply to Director of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra. Funded by the Las Cruces Symphony Association.
ISABEL RUTTER ENDOWMENT
Full tuition to a music student studying violin.
TESTORE CELLO SCHOLARSHIP
This $2,000 award goes to a student studying cello. Students must send a letter of interest by December 15 to the cello professor. Applicants will then be selected for an audition and interview. Donated by Paul Thomas and Judith Scott and named for Mr. Thomas’ Testore cello.
String Scholarships
LAS CRUCES SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE STIPENDS
Varying amounts for string musicians who will perform with the Las Cruces Symphony at NMSU. Applied study on the instrument is required. Apply to Director of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra. Funded by the Las Cruces Symphony Association.
ISABEL RUTTER ENDOWMENT
Full tuition to a music student studying violin.
TESTORE CELLO SCHOLARSHIP
This $2,000 award goes to a student studying cello. Students must send a letter of interest by December 15 to the cello professor. Applicants will then be selected for an audition and interview. Donated by Paul Thomas and Judith Scott and named for Mr. Thomas’ Testore cello.
Piano Scholarships
LARRY MCGEHEE MEMORIAL PIANO SCHOLARSHIP
Varying amounts each year for a U.S. citizen who is an undergraduate majoring in piano. Apply to Office of Student Financial Aid by March 1. Donated by the family and friends of Larry McGehee.