32nd Annual Glenn Miller
Scholarship Competition

Application Form (PDF)

The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society is offering six scholarships, $4000, $2000 & $1000 to both instrumentalists and vocalists. These scholarships, which are awarded without regard to any other award, may be used for any education-related expense.

In 1976, a group of Clarinda citizens interested in Glenn Miller and his music decided that one way to honor this musical leader of the past would be to seek out and encourage potential musical leaders of the future. Clarinda business people and members of the Society worldwide established a permanent instrumental scholarship fund to help ensure that the scholarships would continue to be available in the future. Later, memorials to Ralph Brewster of the Miller band Modernaires were given to the fund and a vocal award was added. In another year, a vocal scholarship was added in memory of Jack Pullan, a Clarinda man who loved vocal music. In 2006 and 2007 respectively, two scholarships were added honoring the memory of Ray Eberle and honoring Bill Baker plus the memory of Hans Starreveld.

It is not the purpose of this competition to select Glenn Miller look-alikes or sound-alikes, nor is it limited to pop music performance. Rather, in honoring Glenn, we wish to seek out and assist promising young talents in any field of applied music who may be leaders of tomorrow.

Eligibility:

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors or first year college students who intend to make music a central part of their future life. Those who have entered as high school seniors are eligible to compete again as college freshmen, unless they have been previous first place winners.

3-Step Competition

APPLICANTS submit an audition CD or tape and application postmarked by March 15, 2008. No more than 10 vocalists and 10 instrumentalists will be chosen to be:
FINALISTS who will compete in Clarinda on June 12, 2008. 3 vocalists and 3 instrumentalists will be chosen as:
SCHOLARS who will perform at the Stage Show of the Glenn Miller Festival on June 14, 2008. At this time, the scholarship awards will be presented.

APPLICANTS must submit a clear high-quality audio CD or cassette tape to the Scholarship Committee, to be postmarked by March 15, 2008. This tape will contain your competition pieces or something similar to them in style and difficulty. A good length of tape performance would be about 10 minutes total. Notice of acceptance or non-acceptance will be provided within a reasonable time following the screening process. Not more than ten finalists will be accepted in each category. Finalists will come to Clarinda at their own expense for live auditions to be held on Thursday, June 12, 2008.
Each entry must include a specific statement that the applicant intends to make music performance or teaching a central part of her/his future life, accompanied by a statement of the manner in which the applicant plans to proceed in this direction. A stated intent to major or minor in music studies post-high school would weigh heavily in this, as would evidence that the person is and will be participating in performing groups.

FINALISTS must be prepared to do the following:

INSTRUMENTALISTS:

Perform a work of concert or competition quality of about five minutes duration, or a movement of a major work.
Sight read selections of the judge's choice.
Perform technical exercises such as arpeggios, scales, rudiments and transposition, to the extent required by the judge.
We recommend that you perform a selection contrasting in style or type to the required piece, or to demonstrate your skill in improvising.

VOCALISTS:

Perform a work of competition or concert quality of up to five minutes duration (a major work running slightly longer will be acceptable.)
Sight read simple selections such as hymns or songs of the judge's choice, with or without accompaniment.
Sing scales, arpeggios or other technical exercises as directed by the judge.
We recommend that you perform a selection contrasting in style or type to the required piece. At least one of your selections should be in English.

SCHOLARS will perform at the Glenn Miller Festival stage shows on Saturday, June 14, 2008. At that time, the Glenn Miller Instrumental and Vocal Scholarship checks for $4000, $2000, and $1000 will be presented to the respective winners.

General:

Any of the usual instruments of band or orchestra are eligible for the instrumental competition, EXCEPT those whose sound is electronically produced or amplified. Strings, woodwinds, brass, piano and percussion are all welcome. If in doubt, ask. All voices, male and female, are eligible for the vocal competition. Singers will compete without amplification.
The selection of winners and the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of the judge, whose decisions are final. The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society reserves the right to make binding and final decisions on questions of eligibility and on conformance to the rules and their intent.
All required material, including CD or tape, completed application blank, and a statement of musical intentions must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2008.
This announcement may be duplicated. Should you have any questions, call us at 712-542-2461 or email to denise_hoskins@yahoo.com
Each contestant is responsible for making his/her own travel and lodging arrangements at his/her own expense.
Non-finalists will be notified by May 15, 2008.

For more information or an application contact the
Glenn Miller Birthplace Society
107 East Main Street
P.O. Box 61
Clarinda, IA, 51632 U.S.A.

Phone/Fax: 712-542-2461 or gmbs@heartland.net

32nd Annual Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition

32nd Annual Glenn Miller
Scholarship Competition