Eligibility
The Bands Program Scholarships are awarded primarily for those student musicians who participate in the University Wind Ensemble of Boston College. Each year, the Director of Bands will determine the instrumentation needs of the Universtiy Wind Ensemble and, if warranted, the needs of other ensembles in the Bands Program in general, and award scholarships according to those needs.
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- The applicant plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument
- The applicant is a registered undergraduate student attending Boston College
- The applicant intends to participate fully in University Wind Ensemble of Boston College for the entire academic year
- The applicant is able to commit to performing in the Commencement Band
Participation Requirements for a Scholarship Recipient
Each award recipient will be required to participate fully in the University Wind Ensemble. Each award recipient is required to fulfill attendance requirements for the University Wind Ensemble in order to receive any of the award.
Each recipient is additionally required to participate in the Commencement Band. The Commencement Band is assembled specifically to play at the Boston College Commencement ceremonies. This commitment requires the recipient to stay on campus for approximately one week beyond the end of the final exam period. Housing will be provided at no cost for the additional week and meals will be provided at no cost for the weekend immediately preceding Commencement. Each Commencement Band participant receives an additional $75 stipend. Recipients who are graduating seniors are excused from the Commencement Band requirement.
Scope of the Scholarship Grant
Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis. Every scholarship recipient is required to audition each year for a scholarship. The purpose of this policy is to insure that every scholarship recipient continues to grow musically and remains competitive.
Private Study Stipend for All University Wind Ensemble Members
All members of the Univesrity Wind Ensemble receive private lesson at no additional cost. There is a stipend which is applied to private instrumental study with a teacher of the applicant’s choice. The Bands Program would assist in identifying a teacher locally. This stipend is applied as tuition remission to the recipient’s student account. Because of this special arrangement, the student will then need to compensate the teacher directly. The end result is that the student’s account will have been reduced by the same amount as that paid directly to the teacher.
The student is responsible for committing to a number of lessons that will not exceed the stipend amount. The current amount is 11 half hour lessons per semester. The student may, of course, extend private study beyond that which the stipend amount will cover understanding that, at that point, he/she is fully responsible for payment.
Performance Evaluation for Repeat Awards
The quality of service rendered by every award recipient during the award year will be reviewed periodically. Performance quality and attendance will constitute the major parts of the evaluation. The Director of Bands and/or the University Wind Ensemble Conductor (if they are not one and the same) will evaluate the recipient’s service quality. An award recipient whose service is found to be deficient is not eligible to audition for the subsequent year. An award recipient must be in good academic and disciplinary standing in order to be eligible for a repeat award.
Scholarship Recipient Expectations
The expectations expressed in this section are, in some cases, common sense and, in other cases, they simply describe good habits formed through years of conscientious ensemble playing. By virtue of the special recognition that the scholarship recipient has been granted, he/she is required to demonstrate a level of discipline in meeting these expectations that is higher than that of other ensemble members.
The scholarship recipient agrees to:
- Make the ensemble for which he/she has been awarded a scholarship his/her top musical priority.
- Demonstrate musical leadership by always having his/her parts prepared for rehearsal.
- Demonstrate organizational leadership by attending every rehearsal.
- Demonstrate organizational leadership by arriving at every rehearsal and performance on time.
- Demonstrate responsibility by maintaining his/her instrument in good repair.
- Demonstrate responsibility by having all instrumental requirements of the musical works ready for each rehearsal. These will vary with each instrument. As examples: mutes for brass; sticks and mallets for percussion; reeds for woodwinds.
- Demonstrate a respect for and an understanding of good rehearsal protocol by being attentive and responsive to the ensemble conductor at all times.
- Serve as a positive and productive role model for other members of the ensemble.
- Promote the general performance objectives of the ensemble in every way possible.
- Maintain a positive and productive attitude throughout rehearsals and performances.
Value and Timing of the Scholarship Award
With few exceptions, scholarship awards are valued from five hundred to two thousand dollars for one academic year. Actual awards may vary in value depending on the instrument and the needs of the Bands Program. The scholarship award is credited to the recipient's account at the end of the first semester of the academic year.
Rescinding and Withholding Awards
The Director of Bands reserves the right to withhold or rescind the award if the recipient's service, attendance and/or performance quality is found to be deficient. If the recipient fails to fulfill any part of the requirements, the entire award will be withdrawn.
Application Process
An applicant may audition in person, at Boston College, or submit an audio-recorded audition. The application deadline is July 1 for each following academic year. Entering freshmen may audition at any time after they have been admitted to Boston College, with the understanding that a decision may not be made until July 15.
Each applicant is required to submit the following documents:
- A scholarship application.
- A resume of musical accomplishments, awards and ensemble participation history (the ensembles in which the applicant has participated, where and for how long).
- A recommendation from a music professional (preferably, an ensemble conductor) that addresses the applicant's playing quality and quality of service (punctuality, attendance, reliability, leadership, work style, attitude). This document is required for freshmen only.
- A photocopy of the selection that the applicant will perform. The Director of Bands will destroy the photocopy at the conclusion of the review process in order to comply with copyright laws.
Auditioning in Person
If the applicant wishes to audition in person, the applicant should call the Bands office at 617.552.3018 to schedule an audition. Please be advised that candidates auditioning in person will have their performance recorded. The applicant should submit the resume of musical accomplishments, the ensemble conductor’s recommendation and the photocopy of the audition selection at the time of the audition.
Auditioning by Audio Recording
If the applicant wishes to submit an audio-recorded audition, the audio recording and the required documents should be mailed to the office of the Boston College Bands:
The Boston College Bands Program
Conte Forum Room 213N 140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Applicants auditioning by audio recording are required to submit a Document of Authenticity completed by the music professional that is best acquainted with the applicant's playing ability.
Audition Music
The candidate should select an audition piece that demonstrates his/her musical strengths. A selection that demonstrates both the candidate’s technical skill and lyrical skill is preferred. Candidates will typically select works on the level of a district or all-state audition.
Evaluation
The Director of Bands will evaluate the applicant's audition. Candidates will be ranked according to the musical quality of their performance and the supporting documents.
Decision Notification
Verbal scholarship offers may be made to the top ranking candidates on a "rolling" basis at any time after the audition. Each candidate receiving a scholarship offer will be required to state his/her intentions to accept the award and the terms of the award at the time the offer is made. A written offer will be mailed to the candidate following the verbal offer. The candidate is required to return a signed copy of the offer letter as an indication of intent to accept the award and its terms.
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