Scholarships and Financial Aid
CMC wants to celebrate extraordinary students and ensure that all committed students are able to experience the magic and joy of chamber music. In addition to need-based financial aid, we offer the following scholarships through the generosity of our donors.
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Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship Award
For young musicians who demonstrate outstanding artistic merit and show financial need.
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Jessie Montgomery Musicians Scholarship Award
For young musicians from underrepresented communities who demonstrate outstanding artistic merit and show financial need.
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The Mary Lou Francis Merit Awards
For outstanding CMC students who participate in both chamber music and orchestra.
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Need-Based Financial Aid
Available for committed students who, due to financial hardship, are unable to pay the full participation fee.
Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship Award
Through a generous donation from Laura Chang and Arnold L. Chavkin, CMC is proud to offer three $6,000 scholarships to young musicians who demonstrate outstanding artistic merit and show financial need. These awards are available to current and new CMC students through a rigorous audition and interview process.
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Duncan describes his CMC experience as a recipient of the Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship.
A Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarship means:
The Chang/Chavkin scholarships cover 30 one-hour private lessons from the approved teacher of their choice as well as the costs of CMC chamber music, orchestra and SOLOS for a full year.
Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in all CMC programs: Chamber Music, Orchestra, Masterclasses, SOLOS and Performances.
In addition, recipients should show leadership, preparedness and exhibit a positive and inclusive attitude. Students who have received the Chang/Chavkin Musicians Scholarships have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities such as Eastman School of Music, Bard College, Rice University, Frost School of Music and Northwestern University.
Jessie Montgomery Musicians Scholarship Award
Through a generous donation from the Chu Family Foundation, CMC is proud to offer two scholarships, each worth $6,000, designated for students from underrepresented communities. These scholarships are named for Jessie Montgomery, composer, violinist and educator, who has had a life long relationship with Artistic Director Dr. Mary Jo Pagano.
Jessie Montgomery was the 2019 composer-in-residence for the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and was one of the featured composers for the New York Philharmonic’s Project 19. She has been a member of the Catalyst Quartet and PUBLIQuartet, a recipient of the Leonard Bernstein award from ASCAP and a two-time laureate of the annual Sphinx Competition. Jessie is the Mead Composer-in-Residence for the Chicago Symphony through June 2024. She won a Grammy Award in 2024 for Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
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As a recipient of the Jessie Montgomery Musicians Scholarship, Kimberly speaks about her experience at CMC and how it has impacted her life.
A Jessie Montgomery Musicians Scholarship means:
The Jessie Montgomery scholarships cover 30 one-hour private lessons from the approved teacher of their choice and the costs of CMC chamber music, orchestra and SOLOS for a full year.
Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in all CMC programs: Chamber Music, Orchestra, Masterclasses, SOLOS and Performances.
In addition, recipients should show leadership, preparedness and exhibit a positive and inclusive attitude. Students who have received the Jessie Montgomery Musicians Scholarships have participated in prestigious programs such as Interlochen School of the Arts, Kinhaven Music School and have been accepted to Penn State University and Fashion Institute of Technology.
Mary Lou Francis Merit Awards
The Mary Lou Francis Merit Awards are chosen through a voting process by CMC faculty to acknowledge outstanding, committed CMC students. These scholarships are in memory of Mary Lou Francis, who was a Board member and ardent supporter of CMC.
Eligibility
Award winners are nominated and selected by CMC faculty. In order to be eligible, students must have participated in one full CMC season and demonstrated outstanding responsibility, attitude, and commitment to their music studies. Participation in chamber music and orchestra is required, with the exception of non-orchestral instruments, such as piano and guitar.
If you wish to contribute to this fund to keep her memory alive, please contact info@chambermusiccenter.org or go donate here.
Need-based Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for committed students who, due to financial hardship, are unable to pay the full participation fee. Priority will be given to students who apply before September 5, 2024.
For more information please contact mjpagano@chambermusiccenter.org.
