Scholarship Competitions and Awards

This is a list of School of Music Competitions and Scholarships that require an application or audition.

Clara Rolland Piano Competition

  • This competition is for undergraduate piano majors. A panel of three judges choose one winner through a blind audition.
  • Candidates register for this competition in mid January.
  • One winner is selected to receive a cash award.
  • Candidates are expected to perform no more than 15 minutes of music from three musical eras.
  • See your piano professor for more details
  • Competition takes place on April 12, 2015.
  • Contact: David Allen (allend@illinois.edu)

Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship

  • Open to one undergraduate and one graduate student in music annually.
  • March Audition
  • Contact: David Allen (allend@illinois.edu)

Krannert Debut Artist

  • Open to all UI Students (by nomination from SoM faculty)
  • Finalists are nominated by Division. Deadline for nominations is Monday, December 11, 2016.
  • Competition is on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 in the afternoon (between 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM) with possible call-backs on the next morning.
  • The Winner must be available to perform on April 23, 2017 in the KCPA Salon Series Concert.
  • Krannert Debut Artist Rules 2017
  • Contact: Steve Burian (burian1@illinois.edu) or your applied professor.

Salvatore Martirano Composition Award

  • Open to any composer, regardless of age or nationality. Previous winners, faculty, and currently-enrolled students at the University of Illinois are ineligible for the competition.
  • Deadline for Entry: April 26, 2014
  • Prof. Emeritus Zach Browning (browning@illinois.edu)

Paul Rolland Memorial String Award

  • Open to all undergraduate and MM candidates majoring in violin.
  • Performance Requirements:
    1. The 1st movement of a standard concerto or concert piece
    2. A movement of a solo sonata or suite in the Baroque style.
    3. All works must be performed by memory.
    4. Accompaniment is required for pieces with piano
  • Date: Sunday, November 15, 2015.
    Eligibility: Student competitors must be violinists enrolled as current graduate or undergraduate students at the University Of Illinois School Of Music.

    *repertoire questions should be directed to Professor Meg Freivogel. 

  • Categories/Prizes: Two cash prizes are awarded. One cash prize to the First Place Winner in the undergraduate category, and one cash prize to the First Place winner of the graduate category.

  • How to apply: Students will sign up in the appropriate category beginning October 15, 2015. Deadline for sign-up is November 6, 2015. A minimum of 4 competitors in each category is required for the competition to proceed. Sign-up sheet is available on Dr. Mandel’s door (MB 1006).


Thomas J. Smith Scholarship Competition

  • Awarded each year to undergraduate women who are music majors and residents of Illinois.
  • Students are selected on the basis of musicianship (as evidenced by a competition).
  • Faculty nomination is required for students who wish to participate in the competition.
  • The competition is typically held in the Spring semester, mid-February, and interested students should inquire with their applied faculty advisor.
  • Info is emailed to all SoM faculty for formal nominations to be made.
  • Complete Guidelines

UISO Concerto Competition

Sunday April 8, 2018—Concerto Competition Final Round
Music Building Auditorium
12:00 Noon – 5 PM

2018 Concerto Competition Rules


21st Century Piano Commission Competition


Nicholas Temperley Dissertation Prize

Complete rules and procedures.