Scholarships and Awards

A number of scholarships and bursaries are available to music students who excel in the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts programs. In general, students must have a minimum GPA of at least 10.0 to be considered for an award. The first three awards are application based. The rest of the scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, taking into consideration criteria specific to each award as described below. Seeing as the funding for several music scholarships is derived from endowment funds that fluctuate from year to year with the ebb and flow of the global economy, the monetary value of certain music awards varies from year to year.

Application-Based

Minôjitonigewin Scholarship

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture, to an outstanding full-time undergraduate student who is entering or proceeding from one year to another in any program of study within the School. Preference will be given to an Indigenous student or if no Indigenous students are eligible in the program, then a student whose studies focus on Indigenous arts and culture would be preferred. Endowed in 2017. “Minôjitonigewin” (Min-O-jiton-eh-geh-win) is an expression or explanation for someone doing something skillfully and with good intent, it can be used in crafting, writing and painting – meaning someone has honed a skill. This scholarship will allow students to hone their own skills as they explore their passion for Indigenous arts and culture.

Click for full details and application form

Music Award for Indigenous, Black and Racialized Students (Music)

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Arts and Culture to outstanding full-time students who are Indigenous, Black or a member of another racialized group entering or continuing in the Bachelor of Music program at Carleton University. Eligible recipients will have made a significant contribution to the music program and/or their Indigenous or racialized community. Application is required. Established in 2021 by the Department of Music to encourage, recognize and honour the significant contributions to music by Indigenous, Black and racialized students.

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Awarded Based on Merit – Entrance Awards

Recipients are selected by faculty juries; applications are not accepted.

Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte Entrance Award in Music

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of School for Studies in Arts and Culture to an outstanding performer entering the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program at Carleton University. The award will be offered to a student with exceptional audition results. Preference will be given to performance students in classical or jazz repertoire. Endowed in 2017 by Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte.

Approximate value: $4500

Barbara Newbegin Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the School for Studies in Art and Culture, to an outstanding full-time, student entering a Music program in classical music. Recipients must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Preference will be given for a female student. Endowed in 2019 by Barbara Newbegin through the Canadian Federation of University Women – Ottawa.

Approximate value: $2000

Vera Klein Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually to two outstanding students. One scholarship will be awarded to a student proceeding from one year to another in the Bachelor of Arts program or the Bachelor of Music program. The second scholarship will be awarded to a student entering the Bachelor of Arts program or the Bachelor of Music program. Donor: Vera Klein, B.A. 1968. Endowed in 2001 in memory of Professor John Churchill.

Approximate value: $2500

Awarded on Merit – Current Students

Recipients are selected by faculty juries for in-course achievement; applications are not accepted.

Barbara Clark Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually to an outstanding student proceeding from Second to Third year or Third to Fourth year of the Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Arts in Music. Established in 2007 by Barbara Clark, BA/71.

Bertoli-Inkster Scholarship in Classical Piano

Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture to an outstanding student entering or proceeding from one year to another in the Bachelor of Music program pursuing classical piano performance studies. Endowed in 2013.

Bettina Oppenheimer Memorial Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually to an academically outstanding student within six credits of completion of the Bachelor of Music or B.A. Honours Music degree. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture on the recommendation of the faculty members of the Music program. Donor: E.M. Oppenheimer. Endowed 1982. Revised 1992, 2003.

CHIN/CJLL Radio Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the School for Studies in Art and Culture, to an outstanding student in the Third or Fourth year of a music program, who shows promise in ethnomusicological studies. Established in 2006 by CHIN Radio.

Dianne Parsonage Award in Carillon and Celtic Instrument Studies

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the School of Studies in Art and Culture to a student pursuing Carillon or Celtic Instrument Studies (Celtic Fiddle, Pipes, Harp or Voice). Endowed in 2014 by Dianne Parsonage in memory of the life and courage of Ashley Smith.

Earl B. Connell Foundation Scholarship

Awarded annually to a full-time, full year student entering or proceeding from one year to another in the Bachelor of Music. Eligible recipients will be pursuing classical music studies and must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Preference will be for a female student. Established in 2015 by the Canadian Federation of University Women.

Fraser Holmes Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture in consultation with the Department of Music, to outstanding Bachelor of Music students entering the third or fourth year of the music program’s singer-songwriter stream. Endowed in 2016 in memory of Fraser Holmes (1987-2015.) Fraser was known for his quick wit, likeable nature, an exceptional musicianship and graduated with a Bachelor Music in 2011.

The Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (FNACO) Award

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture, in consultation with the leadership of the Music program, to an outstanding fourth-year student who is graduating from the Bachelor of Music program. Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated an active interest in community engagement. The award was established in 2021 by the Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (FNACO).

Helen Nininger Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the School for Studies in Art and Culture, to an outstanding full-time student proceeding from one year to another in a Music program. Preference will be given to a female student. Established in 1998 by the Canadian Federation of University Women/Ottawa in memory of Helen Nininger, who was President of CFUW in 1987-88 as well as Chair of the Scholarship Trust Fund and who was an active supporter of the Arts community in Ottawa.

Jack Barwick and Douglas Duncan Memorial Scholarship for Music

Awarded annually to a student or students in the Music program The Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture and faculty members of the Music program are to decide each year on the most appropriate disbursement of the award. Donor: Mrs. J.P. Barwick. Endowed 1972.

Macdonald Club Awards in Music

Awarded annually to an outstanding student in the Pass or Honours program in Music who has demonstrated a special interest in the creative arts. The recipients will be chosen by the Director of the School for studies in Art and Culture on the recommendation of faculty members of the Music program. Donor. The Macdonald Club, a private club created to support and encourage the creative arts. Established 1981.

Music Award

For the encouragement of a student displaying early excellence in music studies, an award is offered annually to the student registered in a Music program who has achieved the highest standing in the first three music credits. Donor: Anonymous. Endowed 1983.

Professor Robert Fleming Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually to one or two outstanding students in the Music program. The recipient(s) will be chosen by the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture on the recommendation of the faculty members of the Music program. Preference will be given to students who have displayed a special aptitude for composition and/or studies in Canadian Music. Endowed 2001.

Riley Taylor Memorial Award

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture in consultation with the leadership of the Music program, to an outstanding undergraduate student proceeding from one year to another in the Bachelor of Music Program at Carleton University. Preference will be given to a student who is studying percussion or guitar. Established in 2022 in memory of Riley Taylor who was surrounded by music all his life. He embraced his upbringing in music and carried it forward in his own life through music lessons, working in the family drum shop, creating music on his own and in bands, and being connected to the Ottawa music scene in many different ways. Endowed 2023.

Susan Nesrallah Bursary

Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Department of Music, to a student of classical voice enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program. Recipients will have demonstrated financial need, must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants or protected persons), and must meet OSAP’s Ontario residency requirements. Endowed in 2011 in honour of Susan Nesrallah’s long term service to Carleton University through the generous contributions of her daughter, mezzo-soprano and Carleton music alumnus Julie Nesrallah, friends, colleagues and family.

Vera Klein Scholarship in Music

Wright Family Scholarship in Music

Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School for Studies in Arts and Culture to an outstanding student entering or proceeding from year to another in the Bachelor of Music Program at Carleton University. Eligible recipients will be pursuing classical instrumental music studies and must be Canadian Citizen or permanent residents of Canada. This award was endowed through a bequest from Ruth and Kenneth Wright.