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2026 GMBS MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION​

Honoring the musical legacy of Glenn Miller, the GMBS invites high school seniors and college freshmen to participate in our annual Scholarship competition. The event is open to high school seniors and college freshmen who intend make music their future focus. Students from across the nation apply in two categories: vocal and instrumental. Ten vocal and ten instrumental semi-finalists are invited to compete in person for the top three positions during our annual festival.

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For 2026, we are pleased to present a revamped prize package, with $36,000 in available rewards!

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This year, our three vocal and three instrumental winners will receive:

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First Place - $10,000

Second Place - $5,000

Third Place - $3,000

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AND MORE PERKS ...

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All scholarship finalists will receive a special welcome package loaded with goodies upon arrival in Clarinda. Everyone will gather for a special scholarship group dinner to meet and greet. And most importantly, we invite and encourage all scholarship contestants to join us for the entire festival. Scholarship finalists will all receive passes to every musical event during the weekend as our appreciation for their participation, talent and musical interest. It’s our way of encouraging the next generation of musicians to continue the important legacy of Glenn Miller, American popular music and jazz.        

   

Participants are encouraged to select whatever they feel comfortable with for their performances - popular music, jazz or classics.

We recommend the great American songbook, jazz, and certainly the Glenn Miller music library.  

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For Our Contest Application, Rules, Important Dates/Deadlines and Performance Requirements:

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​​Please Direct Your Questions and Applications to shari@glennmiller.org.

2026 Online Scholarship Application Form

Deadline For All Documents: April 20th, 5:00 pm
Meeting - Wednesday, June 10th - 7:00 pm at Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum
Competition - Thursday, June 11th - Instrumental at 8:15 am - Vocal at 1:00 pm
Awards/Stage Show - Friday, June 12th - 8:00 am

Contact Information

Address

Multi-line address

Parent/Guardian Address

Parent/Guardian Address

Application Details

Entering competition as

DO NOT APPLY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO CLARINDA, IOWA, FOR THIS EVENT! YOU MUST HAVE PARENT OR GUARDIAN APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR THIS COMPETITION.

Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload.
Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload.

Statement of Musical Intent

Song Upload

Upload (2) music selections of your choice on YouTube and paste the links to your audition pieces below or you can upload them as .mp4 or .mp3 files in the file upload below. It is best to provide contrasting selections of ‘concert quality’. This competition is not intended to be Glenn Miller tunes, however if you are comfortable with the tunes, you may submit them.


REMEMBER: This is a professional competition and as such concert quality dress and performance is expected.

I will be submitting my audition pieces as

© 2026 GLENN MILLER BIRTHPLACE SOCIETY

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