scholarship requirements

Eligible schools: Senior students enrolled in the following Houston area school districts are eligible to apply for a BAC vocal scholarship:

Alvin, Channelview, Clear Creek, Deer Park, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galena Park, Goose Creek, La Porte,
Pasadena, Pearland, Santa Fe, and Texas City Independent School Districts.

The Bay Area Chorus MaryEllen Oliver Vocal Performance Scholarship

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The Bay Area Youth Singers Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship

The Bay Area Chorus (BAC) MaryEllen Oliver Vocal Performance Scholarship and The Bay Area Youth Singers (BAYS) Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Education Scholarship each are awarded to a high school senior planning to study vocal music education or music therapy at an accredited university or college.  Judging is based 50% on audition performance and 50% on the application (which outlines the applicant’s musical accomplishments and service to their choral department). Varvoutis scholarship applicants are asked to submit a 150-word essay entitled, “Why I Want to Be a Music Teacher/Music Therapist.” 

The BAC MaryEllen Oliver Bay Area Chorus Vocal Music Education Scholarship is underwritten by Dr. David Nickeson in memory of his first wife, MaryEllen Oliver, and the BAYS Brenda Varvoutis Vocal Music Education Scholarship is funded entirely by BAYS, largely through private donations in honor of former BAYS Artistic Director Brenda Varvoutis.

The Ralph and Richard Parr Vocal Excellence Scholarship

 

The Ralph and Richard Parr Vocal Excellence Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior planning to study vocal music education or music therapy at an accredited university or college.  Winnera are chosen from applicants for both the Oliver as well as Varvoutis Scholarships.

The Ralph and Richard Parr Vocal Excellence Scholarship was is underwritten by Claudia Parr in honor of her late husband Ralph and her son Richard.

BAC Chase Scholarship Eligibility and Criteria

 

Application Process

  1. Applicants must submit the scholarship application form and materials to the Director of Choral studies or the Director of Arts Leadership by February 15. Applications must include the following: 

    • A one-page resume.

    • A brief essay of 300 to 500 words stating career goals and explaining how the Jeanette Chase Bay Area Chorus scholarship will aid them in achieving these goals.

    • Upon award, the scholarship recipient will submit a completed FERPA Authorization Form (https://www.uh.edu/dos/resources/ferpa-authorization-form/) and a high-quality digital photograph (headshot) to be used in promotional materials.

  2. The Moores School of Music (MSM) Director and the respective program directors will submit two student applications to the Jeanette Chase Bay Area Chorus Scholarship Committee for consideration by March 1, with preference for receiving one application for a student pursuing a Master of Music or Doctor of Music degree and one application for a student pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Leadership degree. The applicants are to have a high interest in and focus on choral music.

  3. The Jeanette Chase Bay Area Chorus Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipient and communicate selection to the MSM Director by April 1. The MSM Director will notify the respective program director and the award recipient.

  4. The Scholarship Committee will deliver a check for $2,000 to the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, Attn: Dr. Courtney Crappell, Director, 3333 Cullen Boulevard, Room 120, Houston, TX 77204-4017. The check will be made out to University of Houston, with the scholarship recipient’s name and student I.D. number placed in the memo line.

  5. The check will be sent to the University of Houston by April 5, following the selection and communication of the scholarship recipient to the MSM Director on April 1.

  6. The University of Houston Office of Financial Aid will then process the disbursement of funds.

Other Award Details:

 

Funds can be used to cover expenses for tuition, institutional living expenses (housing & meals), books, fees, and/or supplies for the fall and/or spring semester. Funds will be distributed in one single payment of $2,000.

  • Scholarship recipients may reapply in subsequent years for the scholarship.

  • Recipients must sign a media release allowing the Bay Area Chorus to use their likeness and biographical information in newsletters, press releases, e-communications, and event programs.

  • The scholarship recipient must deliver a note of thanks to the Jeanette Chase Bay Area Chorus Scholarship Committee chair and be present at the Bay Area Chorus Presentation Event, date and time of which shall be communicated to the MSM Director by April 1.