Scholarships & Financial Aid
Blair Academy at Vanderbilt is committed to making the study of music possible for all qualified students. The scholarship program was established by the founders of the school in 1965. Auditions take place each spring; awards are made for the coming academic year. Financial assistance is not available for adults (over the age of 19 or has graduated from high school) enrolled in the Academy. Limited funds may be available for new students at other times of the year. See the Blair Academy Handbook or contact academy registrar Arianna Schickel for more information.
Departmental audition requirements
Brass
A video of two contrasting etudes or passages of solo pieces (5-7 minutes)
Fiddle
A video of two contrasting pieces (5-7 minutes)
Guitar
A video of two contrasting works. Total length of the video should be at least of five minutes long. Please submit a PDF copy of your repertoire along with your video.
Harp
A video of two contrasting pieces (5-7 minutes)
Percussion
A video performing a two-mallet or four-mallet marimba solo or etude (4-7 minutes), and a concert snare drum solo or etude (2-5 minutes). Videos may be uploaded separately or as a single video.
Piano (current grade 6 and below)
Two contrasting pieces from two contrasting eras. Music must be memorized and performed in person.
Piano (current grade 7-11)
Two contrasting pieces from two contrasting eras. Music must be memorized and performed in person.
Strings
A video, at least 6 minutes in length, of one or two pieces. If including two pieces, contrasting styles are suggested, but not required.
Suzuki Strings
Pre-twinkle students: A video of one activity determined with your teacher
Book 1 students: A video performance of one piece
Book 2 and above: A video performance of two contrasting pieces
Voice
Perform two pieces that demonstrate your current vocal ability. At least one piece must either be an art song or a folk song arrangement. The second piece can be chosen from the following styles: art song, folk song arrangement, solo portion of a choral piece, hymn arrangement, classical musical theater (no belt), or American song book jazz standard. Performances should be uploaded as separate videos. Selections may be performed a cappella, with an accompaniment track, or a live accompaniment. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by September 1, 2022 and either a junior or senior in high school. Students must be able to read music well enough to learn music on their own.
Woodwinds
A video, no more than 8 minutes in length, of two contrasting pieces
If you have questions regarding your scholarship application, contact registrar Arianna Shickel at 615-322-7655 or via email.