Three Scholarships will be awarded:
- First Place $1000
- Second Place $800
- Third Place $500
Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and live in Burlington County.
- Applicant must be a high school senior who will be pursuing an undergraduate music degree at an accredited college or university.
- Have a minimum 2.75 GPA on 4.0 scale, unweighted.
- Be actively singing in a choir in church, school, or their community.
Application Process
Part 1 - online applications
Online application must submitted by 11:59 pm on the deadline date of January 20th, 2025. To include:
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation: One (1) from a high school representative and one (1) from a music teacher, coach, or choral conductor. Please have them emailed directly to essencehcs@gmail.com.
- CV listing any and all past and current choir groups or activities. Upload below.
- A recent print quality photograph suitable for publication (ie. graduation or other print ready photograph) to be used in the program and on social media, for the selected semifinalists. Selfies will not be admissible. Upload below.
Part 2 - Video Audition Submission
Please upload a video performing a Negro Spiritual or Hymn of the Black church. Begin with a personal statement to include your name, your musical background, and what music means to you. Please allow 2 minutes for your statement and no more than 5 for your song selection. Upload below.
Semi-finals
- 10 semifinalists will be chosen from the submitted online applications. In the event there are 10 or fewer applicants, all singers will be accepted and move directly to the finals.
- Semifinalists will be notified via email with features of each singer across all of EHCS social media platforms and website.
- The semi finalists will be invited to an in-person audition, on Saturday, February 1st (time & location tbd). you will be asked to prepare 1 selection of the same repretoire categories. You can, and are encouraged to, bring your own pianist to accompany you. A cappella repertoire and backing tracks are not permitted. If you do not have an accompanist for that day, one can be provided for you. *Each song may be NO LONGER THAN 4 minutes in length.
- There will be 3 (three) judges for this audition who are independent of anyone and everyone associated with the student or teachers of the student.
- The criteria for judging will be similar to a voice jury on the collegiate level. All ratings will include constructive and detailed comments.
Finals
- After all 10 semi finalists have auditioned, 5 will be chosen to perform live at the in-person competition. The details are as follows: Saturday, February 15th @ 1PM First Presbyterian Church 101 Bridgeboro Rd. Moorestown, NJ 08057
- You will be asked to prepare 2 selections, one for the competition, and one for an encore should they place first. *Again, it is highly reccomended that the student provide their own accompanist.* The judging criteria will be the same as the semi finals, with different judges.
- After all finalists have sung, there will be a break in the competition for the judges scores to be computed and the finalists and winners to be determined. During this time, there will be a short performance by the Essence of Harmony Choral Society.
- After the performance, the finalists will be called up and winners will be announced, at which time the awards will be given. The 1st place winner will then be invited to perform a second song as an encore.
Remittance of funds
The scholarship award will be sent directly to the school acceptance letter and proof of enrollment in a music program have been received.