2019 Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship Application

The Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship is given by Early Music America to “an outstanding and highly-motivated (and possibly unconventional) young performer of medieval music who seeks to widen his/her experience through more advanced study and/or auditions in Europe.” The recipient is chosen by a jury of musicians who knew or worked with the great medieval music specialist and teacher, Barbara Thornton (1950-1998), who came to Europe from New York in 1970, filled with plans to study early music, and went on to co-found the medieval music ensemble Sequentia with Benjamin Bagby in 1977.

The intention of the Scholarship is to provide funding for study abroad, during the Summer or Fall of 2021. However, given the uncertainty introduced by the current COVID-19 pandemic, study and travel abroad may not be possible at that time. In this case, the funds awarded to the recipient of the Scholarship will be held until it is possible for the applicant to use them in the manner originally described in their proposal.

Eligibility

1) Applications are open to a young performer of medieval music who seeks to widen his/her experience through more advanced study and/or auditions in Europe.

2) Applicants should be citizens of the Americas who are under the age of 35 at the time of application.

3) Early Music America membership is required of all applicants. Historical performance students qualify for a one-year complimentary student membership. If you are unsure of your membership status, please email info@earlymusicamerica.org.

Application Instructions and Information

1) Completed online application forms must be submitted by Monday, April 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

2) Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

3) One recipient will receive a $4,000 scholarship.

4) Scholarship announcement will be made by Friday, May 7, 2021.

5) Questions may be sent to EMA at info@earlymusicamerica.org.

We highly encourage you to submit your application several days prior to the deadline, so we can resolve any issues in a timely matter. We will not be able to accept any applications after the deadline has passed.

Section 1: Contact Information

Name *

First Name Last Name

Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

Alt Phone Number

Area Code Phone Number

Email *

example@example.com

Are you a current EMA Member? *

Early Music America membership is required of all applicants

Do you have a current passport *

Section 2: Materials to be Submitted

1. Please provide a personal statement describing the proposed use of the scholarship. *

0/1000

2. Please upload a current copy of your resume *

Browse Files

PDF only

3. Music Selections: recent solo performance of medieval music in which you are the featured performer. Please submit your performance recordings via YouTube links. The judges would like to hear the performances of the candidate as a soloist, which would mean (for vocalists) a solo song and not one part in a 3v or 4v piece sung with others, or (for instrumentalists) an instrumental solo piece, or an accompaniment role which is really featured and involves considerable creative input. The main consideration of the judges is to clearly hear the work of the candidate, to be able to judge her/his sound, musicality, understanding of language and creative ideas. *

4. Provide a list of works performed in #4. Please make sure this list corresponds with the name of each music selection you uploaded in #4. The file names should include enough information for the judges to readily identify each selection. *

5. Please submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or other professionals familiar with your qualifications for this Scholarship.

These letters should be directly emailed to Early Music America at info@earlymusicamerica.org by Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

By providing my electronic signature below, I affirm the foregoing statements are true and correct. In the event I am awarded the Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship, I agree to submit a final report by January 15, 2022, to the Executive Director of Early Music America. *

Electronic Signature

Once you hit the submit button below, you will receive an automatic message letting you know your "submission has been received." You will also receive an automatic email confirming that your application was successfully sent to Early Music America.

If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, please email EMA at info@earlymusicamerica.org

EARLY MUSIC AMERICA | 801 VINIAL ST, #300 | PITTSBURGH, PA 15212
info@earlymusicamerica.org | www.earlymusicamerica.org

2021 Barbara Thornton Memorial Scholarship Application