Summer Music Camp Scholarships

The Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur offers a minimum of 4 summer music camp scholarships. The value of each scholarship is up to $800, made payable to the camper upon receipt of an acceptance letter in the Spring.

Geographic Scope

• Required: Resident of Macon County, Illinois

Eligibility

• Students in grades 6-11
• Must meet ONE of the following criteria:
  • Participate in the school band or orchestra
  • Be home-schooled in Macon County, IL
  • Be a member of the Decatur Youth Symphony
• Must perform an audition with an accompanist

Award Details

• Number of awards: Minimum of 4 scholarships
• Value: Up to $800 per scholarship
• Payment: Made payable to the camper upon receipt of an acceptance letter in the Spring

Eligible Summer Camps

Past students have attended:

• Belmont University Summer Music Camp (TN)
• Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (MI)
• Bowdoin Music Festival (ME)
• Eastern Illinois University Summer Music Camp
• Illinois Summer Youth Music (IL)
• Illinois State University Summer Music Camp
• Illinois Wesleyan Summer Music Camp
• Indiana University Summer Music Academy
• Interlochen Summer Arts Camp (MI)
• McKendree College
• Oberlin Summer Music Camp (OH)
• University of Michigan Summer Music Camp
• University of North Texas Percussion Camp
• Western Michigan University

Important Notes

• Band and string applicants may win both a private lesson scholarship and a summer music camp scholarship; however, preference will be given to those who have not previously won a scholarship
• Students are responsible for submitting the camp acceptance letter by May 3
• Failure to submit the camp acceptance letter by May 3 will result in the loss of the scholarship
• Alternate winners will be contacted to receive any forfeited scholarships
• Audition spots are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis
• Applications that arrive after auditions have been filled will be added to a waiting list in the order received

Contact

• Email: info@symphonyguildofdecatur.org
• Phone: (217) 423-3189
• Address: P.O. Box 1541, Decatur, IL 62525-1541

Application Process

Application Deadline: February 1st (auditions)
Camp Acceptance Deadline: May 3rd

Audition Requirements

1. Perform 1 solo piece, not to exceed 7 minutes, highlighting technical ability and musicality
2. Provide judges with two copies of music with the measures numbered
3. Use a self-provided accompanist – Millikin piano students are available at no cost if desired – be sure to mark your application appropriately
4. Submit a photo and biographical information – Judges require a photo and information about you as they make final decisions
5. Feel free to use the back of your form for biographical information and additional musical activities
6. The photo may be used for publicity purposes when winners are announced, so send a picture you would want to see in a newspaper or program

Post-Selection Process

1. Students are responsible for submitting the camp acceptance letter to Dee Keller, a representative of the SOGD by May 3
2. Failure to submit the camp acceptance letter by May 3 will result in the loss of the scholarship
3. Alternate winners will be contacted to receive any forfeited scholarships

Selection Process

• Audition spots are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis
• Applications that arrive after auditions have been filled will be added to a waiting list in the order received