Scholarships and Awards
Scholarship Funding
In addition to tuition assistance provided by the University, the Department of Music offers the following sources of funding:
Private Lessons Scholarships (Subsidies)
There are three types of scholarships generally available for private lessons: ensemble, financial aid, and music major/minor scholarships. In order to receive any scholarship money, you must apply through Edith Auner during the first week of each semester.
Special Projects Fund for Undergraduate Students
The Music department encourages undergraduate majors to apply for the Special Projects Fund (Undergraduate) towards projects that substantially enrich their musical studies. Potential expenditures might include resources for research, travel and/or registration for conferences, and tools for projects in the digital humanities. This fund is open to all declared music majors. Students may apply once per semester, towards a maximum of $400 during their studies at Tufts. Applicants should consult with their advisor on the nature of their project, and submit a formal proposal as described below.
To apply for the Special Projects Fund (Undergraduate), please complete an application form and attach a typed proposal of your project, no longer than one page, for review by the selection committee. Please note that applications may be returned for clarification, receive partial funding, or may be deemed to be outside of the purview of this award.
Special Projects Fund for Graduate Students
The Music department supports the research, scholarship, and creative work of students in its master's degree program. Students are encouraged to seek support from GSAS' funding opportunities. Please reach out to the Music department's main office for more information on GSAS funding.
In addition, each graduate student in the Music department's master's degree program will have financial support for a scholarly and/or creative project of an academic nature, such as attendance at a conference of a scholarly society, field research, or costs associated with a thesis recital. The amount of the Special Projects Fund (Graduate) award is $800 per academic year, although the exact dollar amount of the award in any given academic year is contingent upon factors such as the number of students in the program and the operating budget of the Music department. Students are limited to two awards during their course of study towards the degree. Awards may be combined into one sum, with permission.
To apply for the Special Projects Fund (Graduate), please complete an application form and attach a typed proposal of your project, no longer than one page, for review by the selection committee. Please note that applications may be returned for clarification, receive partial funding, or may be deemed to be outside of the purview of this award.
Graduate Student Funding
Master's students are also eligible for to apply for funding to travel to professional conferences through the AS&E Graduate Student Travel Fund.
Music Departmental Awards
The Department of Music announces several awards at Commencement each year:
The Mabel Daniels Prize in Music and Literature is awarded to a junior or senior who shows marked creative talent and accomplishment in music or literature. The prize was endowed in 1960 by Mabel Wheeler Daniels, H'33, a distinguished composer.
The Outstanding Achievement Award in the Department of Music is given annually to a senior whose service to the department, creativity, musical achievements, and contribution to the musical atmosphere at Tufts exemplify the highest distinction.
The Etta and Harry Winokur Award for Outstanding Achievement in Artistic or Scholarly Work by music majors in their junior or senior year is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in artistic work such as composition or performance, and/or scholarly works such as a thesis.
The Etta and Harry Winokur Award for Outstanding Contribution to Performance by music majors in junior or senior years is given in recognition of continuing outstanding contribution to the performance activities sponsored by the Music department, such as leadership in performance studies and department ensembles, chamber groups and recitals, and/or leadership in audience development, concert management, and arts administration.