Merit Scholarships | Music Institute Chicago

Audition Guidelines 2026-2027

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Audition Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Location: Thoresen Performance Center at MIC's Winnetka campus (300 Green Bay Road)

Applicants must prepare two contrasting selections, as recommended by their private teacher.
Applicants must attach a brief student biography and a letter of recommendation from their private instructor to their application.

Participants must be enrolled in private instruction at the Music Institute of Chicago.
Participants must not be older than 19 years old on March 1, 2026.
Merit Scholarship auditions are most appropriate for students with a high level of accomplishment.

NEW! MIC merit scholarship recipients are required to participate in an ensemble at MIC (e.g., chamber music, jazz combo, MIC Chorale, etc.)
In support of this, full tuition for two semesters of one ensemble will be waived as part of the benefits of the merit scholarship.
Recipients are expected to perform at donor events and other opportunities that showcase MIC students in the community.
Recipients may be required to send thank you letters to donors who have made scholarship funding available.

There are two divisions: A Junior Division for students ages 12 and under and a Senior Division for students ages 13-19.
Please determine the appropriate division according to the student’s age on March 1, 2026.
Junior division auditions will be held between approximately 9 am and 12:30 pm.
Senior division auditions will be held between approximately 1 pm and 5 pm.

The use of a collaborative pianist is required for all instrumentalists (except pianists, unless playing concerti) and vocalists. This does not apply to unaccompanied works.
Students must secure the pianist of their choice; the payment for the pianist will be at the student’s expense.
NEW! In order to ensure that all students have ample warm-up time with their collaborative pianist on the day of their audition, each collaborative pianist may only play for up to three (3) students in each division.
Please make arrangements for rehearsal time with your pianist prior to the audition date.
The name and email address of the collaborative pianist must be confirmed and included on the application form.

Merit scholarships will be awarded solely based on the performance level exhibited at the audition.
Auditions will be adjudicated by a panel of professional musicians.
Awards will be based on the average of adjudicators’ scores.

Emails will be sent informing students of the results of the auditions no later than May 31, 2026.

Awards will range from $500 to $1000 in $250 increments.
The number of awards is finite and is based on the projected endowment payout and the FY27 budget.
A limited number of discretionary scholarships may be awarded to students in the areas of winds, brass, voice, string bass, and percussion.