Golden Wave Band Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for Golden Wave Band members. Awards are based upon several criteria including ensemble instrumentation needs, musical ability, leadership potential, and student financial need. The majority of monies made available for Golden Wave Band scholarships are categorized as “need-based.” This requires that students who desire to apply for a scholarship have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa) and the CSS Profile (https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/). No matter what your financial status, we highly encourage filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile as this allows our Financial Aid Office the most flexibility (rather than restrictions) for providing possible awards. Scholarships are for one year only. Members must reapply each year for scholarship consideration.
Applications are accepted starting March 1st and are reviewed beginning in May. The first set of awards is sent out in early July and, in some cases, a second set of awards is sent out at the beginning of the school year.
Eligibility
- All students who desire to receive a scholarship for the Golden Wave Band must be enrolled in the class, MUEN 1102 - Marching Band. You will not be considered for a scholarship if you are not enrolled in the class.
- New members of the Golden Wave who play a woodwind/brass instrument will need to prepare the first 3 steps of the Application Process listed below. New members who play percussion, desire to be a Color Guard member, or a Golden Girl twirler will need to prepare steps 1 and 2 and follow the instructions for step 3.
- Returning members of the Golden Wave need only complete the steps 1 & 2.
- NOTE FOR MUSIC ED MAJORS: Typically your scholarship package provided by the School of Music already includes scholarship money for participation in marching band.
- MCC students are not eligible for Baylor scholarships. Please contact Dr. Odajima to discuss options.
Application Process
- Fill out the application form by clicking here and following the instructions below:
- Write a formal essay (2-3 pages, standard font & size) stating your past band leadership experiences, the music honors you have received, and other accomplishments related to your potential scholarship. This essay is submitted through the above link as part of the application form.
- Percussion/Color Guard/Golden Girl Twirlers: The audition requirements outlined for your specific section will serve as your scholarship audition. Please inform the respective instructor of your area that you would like to be considered for a scholarship. After your audition is completed, discussions will be held with your instructors to assess your abilities.
- Woodwind/Brass Players: Prepare an audition of 3-5 minutes in length. Please see information below:
- Prepare music with two contrasting styles; something that shows off your technical playing skills as well as your lyrical musicianship. The excerpts from etudes or solos should range between 3-5 minutes in length. We recommend your perform music that is of significant quality and difficulty, which allow you to display your highest degree of musical artistry.
- Perform the chromatic scale from the lowest to the highest note you can comfortably play. It is appropriate to use a triplet pattern for rhythm and to tongue notes of the scale on the way up and slur notes on the way down.
- Email a link to your video audition to goldenwaveband@baylor.edu. Please label the video and the email subject line as "First & Last Name - Scholarship Audition Video"
- Optional: You may have your high school band director submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. We would like the recommender to send us the letter via email to goldenwaveband@baylor.edu. They may choose to type their recommendation into the body of an email or they can attach a pdf document. Please instruct the recommender to write "Letter of Recommendation" and the STUDENT'S NAME in the subject line of the email. You may have two other references write on your behalf if you wish. Do not send more than three letters. Letters of recommendation will NOT be considered if the applicant has not completed the first two parts of this application process.
All materials are due on June 1, 2024, for returning members, and July 1, 2024, for incoming members. Further inquiries should be e-mailed to goldenwaveband@baylor.edu.
Awards are available and distributed based on ensemble needs. All correspondence regarding scholarships must be made to/from the student (not parent/guardian). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will receive notification of scholarship awards via email around mid-July.
