Music Scholarship - Bloomington-Normal | Illinois Symphony Orchestra Skip to Content
ISO 001183

Music Scholarship - Bloomington-Normal

The Illinois Symphony Guild of Bloomington-Normal will hold its annual instrumental musician scholarship auditions from 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at IWU Westbrook Auditorium, Presser Hall School of Music in Bloomington. Applicants must submit a list of their musical involvement, awards, and a letter of recommendation, with the application due by April 6, 2026. The following FIVE scholarships will be awarded:

1st place - $1,000 The Brenda Azinger Memorial Scholarship  |  2nd place $600  |  3rd place $400

Eligibility and Participation

  • Scholarships are intended to be used for future music lessons or summer music camps.   
  • Auditions are open to McLean County students in grades 8 through 11 who play orchestral instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, or piano.
  • Participation in a school orchestra or band, or the Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony, is recommended but not required.
  • Sixteen participants will be selected for auditions based on review of their applications.
  • Previous first place winners may only audition this year if performing on a different instrument.

2026 Instrumental Musician Scholarships
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

IWU's Presser Hall (School of Music) in the Westbrook Auditorium 
1210 N Park St, Bloomington, IL  61701 

Application Deadline:  Monday, April 6, 2026 - no exception