The Scottish Arts Scholarship is awarded to first-year students (transfers are not eligible) on the basis of music performance skills demonstrated at the audition. Students can receive $2,000 to $8,000 per year. In addition, lesson fees for a student holding a Scottish Arts Scholarship are reduced to $25/semester for half-hour weekly private lessons on the instrument of your audition. Please note that you should only apply for one scholarship area. Recipients are not required to major or minor in music at Wooster.
Application Instructions
Applicants who complete all necessary application materials by the midnight EST on December 20, 2024, and attend a February audition weekend will receive notification by April 1, 2025.
- Complete the general application for admission. Scottish Arts Scholarship applicants must apply Early Decision or Early Action.
- Complete the Scottish Arts Scholarship Application Form.
- Submit ONE or TWO letters of recommendation (teachers / instructors in the respective field).
- Attend the audition weekend held on-campus in Scheide Music Center. It is highly recommended that students attend an on-campus audition date on February 1, 2025, or February 15, 2025.
Letters of recommendation in Word or PDF format may be attached to the scholarship form at the time of submission or may be sent separately via email to mpuster@wooster.edu.
Pipers
Please be prepared to play one or more selections, for a total of 5-7 minutes of playing, comprised of the following choices:
- 2/4 March and/or Strathspey and Reel
- 4/4 Marches, 3/4 Marches, or 6/8 Marches
- Hornpipe and Jig
- Slow March
- Piobaireachd Ground and 1st Variation (optional)
Dancers
Please be prepared to perform two of the following, as chosen by the panel of judges:
- Lilt
- Sword Dance
- Seann Triubhas
- Strathspey & Reel (optional)
Drummers
Please be prepared to perform the following:
- 2/4 March and/or Strathspey and Reel
- 4/4 Marches, 3/4 Marches, or 6/8 Marches
- Hornpipe and Jig
- A Drum Solo (optional)
Expectations of Recipients
Beginning with the first semester of the first year and continuing for as long as the scholarship is held, recipients must:
- Enroll in and successfully complete private lessons on the instrument in which the Scottish Arts Scholarship was won.
- Participate in the Scot Marching and Symphonic Bands.
Questions & Concerns
Please contact Melissa Puster, Administrative Coordinator, at 330-263-2419.
*The maximum annual amount of Wooster merit scholarship is $43,000 annually and can be applied only to tuition charges. Prospective students may apply for more than one competition-based scholarship but will only be awarded one. Competition based scholarships replace the Dean’s Scholarship amount, except for the Covenant and performing arts scholarships. All merit scholarships are automatically renewed each year as long as the student maintains full-time enrollment and remains in good academic and judicial standing with the College (please see additional qualifications for performing arts). Scholarship amounts listed may change. All admission and scholarship deadlines are postmarked deadlines.
**Students who are eligible for and awarded a tuition benefit such as the Tuition Exchange Program, the Great Lakes College Association (GLCA) program, Wooster’s employee tuition remission, or Veteran’s Education Benefits may choose to apply for the merit scholarships noted above, but if awarded, the scholarship status will be honorary only.