Music Education

Applicants for the following scholarships must be a music major, have an established BGSU GPA, currently be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 hours) at BGSU, and be enrolled full-time for the upcoming academic year. The number and amounts are subject to change without notice. You must be enrolled for both fall and spring of the next academic year to be eligible for these awards.

The College of Musical Arts is proud to provide scholarship support for students. These scholarships are provided through the generosity of alumni and friends of BGSU. Awarding of the scholarships is based on a competitive process. The amount awarded reflects the wishes of the donor(s) and is dependent upon current and projected market conditions. Some scholarships will be awarded at the full amount designated by the donor, and some scholarships may not be awarded at all due to current financial conditions.

Diane Inbody Pepple Music Education Scholarship

The Honorable Frederick D. Pepple created this scholarship in 2010. The award was created in memory of his late wife, Diane Inbody Pepple, to recognize student achievement in preparation for music education in public schools.

Criteria

• Be a rising senior in good academic standing with a declared major in Music Education within the BGSU College of Musical Arts.
• Have demonstrated top of the line teaching skills and a commitment to the classroom.
• Exercise active community service and school activities which demonstrate citizenship and volunteerism.
• Preference will be given to students who attended and graduated from a public high school in Ohio.
• preference shall be given to a first generation college student

Elfreda M. Rusher Music Education Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Elfreda Rusher to be awarded annually to an undergraduate student who demonstrates a strong desire to teach music. Dr. Rusher’s piano lessons, which she took from the time she was five years of age through her undergraduate years, sparked a lifelong interest in music and an appreciation of the distinct pleasure it can provide. She said, in creating this award, “I want to help those who will eventually teach others to be inspired by music, as I have been. It has been so meaningful a gift to me.”

Criteria

• be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in music education in the College of Musical Arts
• be a rising junior or senior
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• preference will be given to students who have demonstrated financial need—must have a current FAFSA on file through the Financial Aid Office.
• be a resident of Ohio

Dorothy Robertson Christensen Memorial Scholarship in Music Education

Mrs. Christensen’s sister, Mrs. Henrietta Robertson Matz, created this scholarship in 1992. The award was created to recognize and encourage outstanding scholarship by a student majoring in music education.

Criteria

• be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in music education who has demonstrated overall academic excellence
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA

Keith and Helene Dearborn Music Education Award

The Keith and Helene Dearborn Music Education Award was established at BGSU in 1996 through an endowment designated for its support. The award is given annually to a music education major who has made, or shows the potential to make, a significant contribution to BGSU’s music education program, shown excellent musical and academic achievement, and exhibited those personal qualities essential for success as a teacher of general (classroom) music.

Criteria

• be a music education major (preference given to graduate student)
• if undergraduate, have at least junior standing; if graduate, been in residence one semester
• have successfully completed course work and/or internship experiences in general music
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• exhibit personal qualities appropriate to the teaching profession
• demonstrate strong career interest in and aptitude for the field of general music education
• have not been a previous recipient of the award

Natalie Katz Sternberg Music Education Scholarship

Mrs. Sternberg studied at the Juilliard School of Music and was an accomplished pianist. She used her skills not only in performance, but also in teaching others to become accomplished artists. Her husband, Herman, and their children, Ronald, Les and Barbara Schacter, make this scholarship possible.

Criteria

• be a rising junior or rising seniors enrolled in music education
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• preference given to those who are specializing in or have specific interest in the piano or violin
• maintain involvement in professional service and professional growth activities indicating a commitment to music and music education

Otis and Lois Sonnenberg Vocal Music Education Scholarship (1 Award)

This award was established to provide financial assistance to a BGSU Vocal Music Education student. Mr. Sonnenberg retired from BGSU in 1988 where he was the Assistant Director of the Bookstore. Mrs. Sonnenberg earned her BS and MS degrees in Education at BGSU. She taught English and French in BG City Schools.

Criteria

• rising sophomore, junior or senior
• preference given to vocal music education majors
• demonstrate financial need — must fill out a current FAFSA form through the Financial Aid Office.
• preference shall be given to a first generation college student
• minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference given to those individuals possessing a 3.5 GPA or higher
• must demonstrate leadership qualities as evidenced by community service and/or student activity involvement
• must submit a written essay of at least 300 words on the topic of “Major Influences on My Future in Music Education.”

Dr. Richard and Annette S. Ecker Award in Instrumental Music Education

Annette Ecker and her children established this award as a fitting way to honor the memory of their beloved husband and father, Richard Ecker. He was a member of the BGSU faculty for 17 years before his death in 1965, where he was an associate professor of music and director of bands.

Criteria

• be a full-time undergraduate student
• This is a book scholarship
• preference will be given to students who are majoring in music education and/or who have been inducted in Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma