Music Scholarships

Alvis Autrey Voice Award

Music major, outstanding vocal music student, completed at least four semesters of study, anticipates at least one more year in residence, chosen by the Department of Music Voice Facility only.

Scholarship Amount: $300 per year.


Betty Frizzell Music Award

Music major, 3.0 minimum overall GPA; sophomore, junior, or senior, based on character, scholarship, leadership, service, and need.

Scholarship Amount: $150 per year.


Bryan Holly Hornbeck Endowed String Scholarship

Junior or senior student who has participated at least one year in the SHSU Symphony Orchestra. Demonstrated commitment to music department and maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.


Cargill Family Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in good standing, enrolled at Sam Houston State University, majoring in instrumental music.  Financial need is a consideration, but not a determining factor.  GPA of 3.0 is required. 

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per year.


Charles and Helen Lindsay Endowment Fund in Music Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in an academic program in the School of Music with a preference given to students pursuing a degree in Choral Music Education.  2.85 GPA requirement. For more information, email plugge@shsu.edu. Scholarship Amount: $150 per year. Application deadline: April 15.


Charles W. Jones III and David E. Payne Violin Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time incoming freshman in good standing; majoring in any discipline in the School of Music with violin as their major instrument; pass the auditions at SHSU.  GPA of 3.00 is required. For additional information contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per year. Application Deadline: March 31.  


C.R. Hackney Award for Music Education

Music education major, completing at least one year in residence, outstanding potential as a music educator, anticipating one more year in residence.

Scholarship Amount: $200 per year.


Dance and Theatre Endowment Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded by a scholarship selection committee consisting of members of the faculty of the Dance Program and the Theatre Program, with screening and advice from the donors. The guidelines specify that the recipient must be a student with significant need, as well as outstanding talent and/or accomplishment.

Dance and Theatre Endowment Scholarship Application [PDF]


David Bernshausen Music Endowed Scholarship

Recipients must be full-time undergraduate students majoring in an academic program in the School of Music, be an excellent instrumentalist or vocalist, demonstrate financial need, and be from the city of Yoakum or Lavaca county or Wharton county. This is a four-year award as long as the recipient continues to meet the criteria. 2.0 GPA requirement.

Scholarship Amount: Amount varies per year.


David and Grettle Payne Endowed Music Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or part-time graduate student taking a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester, in good standing and majoring in any program within the School of Music; demonstrate excellent musicianship in their field of study.  GPA of 3.0 is required. For additional information contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per year. Application Deadline: April 15.  


Ed and Pat Griffiths Music Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing, majoring in music performance with an emphasis in piano; demonstrate a strong talent in the piano as determined by the Director of Keyboard Studies.  GPA of 3.00 is required. For additional information, contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $5,000 per year. Application Deadline: February 15.  


Elaine McDonald Music Scholarship

Scholarship established for students majoring in music and/or currently performing in a major ensemble in the School of Music (choir, band, orchestra, or accompanying). Recipient must have achieved sophomore or higher standing and have been enrolled full time at SHSU for one year prior to the semester of the scholarship audition and be enrolled full time during the semester of the audition. Members of Sigma Alpha lota are eligible to audition for the scholarship. GPA requirement is 2.85.

Scholarship Amount: $300 per year. Application deadline: February 1.


Harold R. Bradley Music Scholarship

Recipient must be an outstanding full-time undergraduate or graduate student in good standing enrolled at Sam Houston State University, majoring in music with guitar as the major instrument (This can include performance, music education or music therapy, as long as their principle instrument is guitar.); demonstrate the values and character traits of the honoree, Mr. Bradley - integrity, character, and strong values-; and have an ability to achieve their full potential of musical talent.  GPA of 3.0 is required. For additional information, contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per year. Application Deadline: March 15.


Inez Meachum Powell Awards in Music

Two students selected, Music major, outstanding academic attainment, character of unquestioned merit, anticipating one more year in residence. Incoming freshmen are not eligible.

Scholarship Amount: $250 per year


Jimmy and Lindy Miller Scholarship IHO of Kristen Miller Jackson

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing, majoring or minoring in Choral Music Education; be participating in the student teaching program in the current semester or following semester; be of good moral character; and demonstrate financial need.  GPA of 3.00 is required. For additional information, contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $3,000 per year. Application Deadline: February 28.


Louise Powell Outstanding Performer Award

Music major, outstanding piano performance; chosen by Department of Music Piano Faculty

only. Incoming freshmen are not eligible.

Scholarship Amount: $500 per year


Margaret McPherson Piano Award

Piano major, 3.0 GPA or better, undergraduate, unusual contribution of piano area through solo performances and/or accompanying; chosen by entire Music Faculty. Incoming freshmen are not eligible.

Scholarship Amount: $100 per year


Margo and Mike Crook Music Endowed Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in good standing and majoring in music with an emphasis in piano.  GPA of 3.00 is required. For additional information, contact Shannon Murdock at 936-294-3808, smurdock@shsu.edu.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per year. Application Deadline: May 3. 


Music Performance Scholarships

Scholarships determined by audition. Renewal requirements depend on performance skills, grades, progress, and musical development.

Scholarship Amount: $100 - $1,000 per year, four year (renewable on a yearly basis).


Velma McDermett Award for Music Education

Music education major, completing at least one year in residence, outstanding potential as a music educator, anticipating one more year in residence.

Scholarship Amount: $200 per year


Virginia Irvin Music Education Award

One student selected, Music Education Major, 3.0 minimum overall GPA, must be at least junior standings, character of unquestioned merit.

Scholarship Amount: $225-$450 per semester.


Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Scholarship

Available to students majoring in programs in the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre, Dance, or the School of Music. Must be full-time undergraduate student in good standing enrolled at Sam Houston State University and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.  The scholarship is a one-year award. 

Nancy Gaertner Scholarship Application (Apply at Scholarships4Kats)


For further information, please contact School of Music, SHSU, Box 2208, Huntsville, Texas, 77341-2208. (936)294-1368.