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. With the exception of the Wellington West Business Improvement Area Award and the Susan Nesrallah Bursary, students do not apply directly for music scholarships. Rather, 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 (unless specified in the award descriptions below).
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Revised 1992, 2003
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.
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. Revised 1992.
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. Revised 1989, 1992, 2002, 2005.
Helen Nininger Scholarship in Music
Value $1,500. 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. Revised 2010.
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.
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
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.
Barbara Clark Scholarship in Music
Value $500. 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.
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.
Wellington West Business Improvement Area Award
Value $1,000. Awarded annually, on the recommendation of the School for Studies in Art and Culture/Music, to an outstanding music student in the performance stream. An application, due May 1st to the Undergraduate Advisor for Music, is required. Eligible recipients must demonstrate financial need. Recipients may be invited to perform in a community event hosted by the Wellington West Business Improvement Area. Established in 2011 by the Wellington West Business Improvement Area.