Scholarships

Through generous sponsors, individual donations, #GivingTuesday online fundraisers, grants, and corporate sponsorship, MMC pulls together a wide range of resources and  fundraises throughout the year to be able to offer several different scholarship opportunities to participants.  Our goal is to make this music accessible to all, and we are grateful to all who make this endeavor happen.

Currently, MMC offers three types of scholarships: Student Scholarships, Gilchrist Mandolins & Guitars Scholarship, Video Scholarship Competitions.

All guidelines for submitting are included down below.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:  Any full-time registered student, whether in kindergarten or Graduate School, is eligible to receive a $100 scholarship.  (Proof of class schedule/registration must be emailed to monroemandolincamp@gmail.com)

 

GILCHRIST MANDOLINS & GUITARS SCHOLARSHIP:  Big love and gratitude to Steve Gilchrist for stepping up as a scholarship underwriter for Monroe Mandolin Camp. Because of this support, more players get a seat in the circle. And more bluegrass gets passed down-the way it’s meant to be.

Founded in 1977 by Australian master luthier Stephen Gilchrist, Gilchrist Mandolins has become legendary worldwide for building some of the finest modern mandolins out there. From his workshop at Lake Gnotuk, Steve has spent more than four decades chasing one beautiful goal: unlocking the full acoustic potential of every piece of spruce and maple that crosses his bench. That early immersion helped shape his devotion to the classic Lloyd Loar-era sound–the tone that defined Bill Monroe and set the gold standard for bluegrass mandolin. And her’s where it gets personal for us. Grammy-winning mandolinist Mike Compton, co-founder of the camp and one of today’s leading interpreters of Monroe-style mandolin, bought the very first Gilchrist mandolin sold in the United States back in 1979. That purchase sparked a life-long friendship and creative partnership built around honoring traditional bluegrass tone at the highest level.

So when Gilchrist supports MonManCamp scholarships, it’s not just sponsorship-it’s legacy investing in legacy. It’s about making sure the next generation can learn the style, feel the history, and carry the sound forward.

  • $1,500 total scholarship funds applied toward MMC tuition

Who Should Apply

  • Dedicated bluegrass musicians
  • Students committed to Monroe-style tradition
  • Mandolin & Guitar players (priority consideration) but banjo, fiddle, bass players welcome to apply
  • Musicians needing financial assistance

What You’ll Submit

  • ✔ 300–500 word personal statement: Basic applicant information, number of years playing, why do you want to attend Monroe Mandolin Camp, and how will this scholarship support your growth in Monroe-style bluegrass?
  • ✔ 2–5 minute performance video: Include your name, tune title (make sure both left and right hands are visible), and Link: Youtube (unlisted)/Vimeo/Google Drive

Submit via email:  monroemandolincamp@gmail.com

Deadline: As long as funds are available

Selection Criteria

  • Musical potential
  • Commitment to traditional bluegrass
  • Financial need
  • Passion for carrying the tradition forward

 

VIDEO SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION:  Through generous donors and underwriting, we are proud to announce we have $2400 of Scholarship Prizes to award!  MANDOLIN, FIDDLE, BANJO, GUITAR Video Competition: Submit video between April 1-15. Winners announced May 15th.

COMPETITION RULES

  • Music submitted must be a Bill Monroe song or instrumental.
  • Submissions open to candidates of any age.
  • Participants to write a 400 word essay on their musical pursuits, why they are interested in Monroe’s prolific music and their goals in attending this camp.
  • Video must be made specifically for this competition.
  • Video must remain under 4 minutes.
  • Announce your name and song/instrumental title on the video. You may play solo or with accompaniment-just make sure video camera is pointing on person submitting video. Please make sure we can see both left and right hands!
  • A maximum of 25 submissions for each instrument will be accepted (you will receive an email with confirmation if your video is accepted.)
  • Upload video to YouTube/Vimeo/Google Drive, and email the link to us. In subject line of email, please write “(Insert Instrument ) MMC Video Scholarship Competition.”
  • There will be 3 Prize Awards given per instrument: 1st Place – $300, 2nd Place – $200, 3rd Place – $100.  At the judges discretion, Encouragement Awards may also be awarded ($100). Total Scholarships Awarded: $2400.
  • Transportation, meals and lodging are separate and not included in the award, and the responsibility of the winner.
  • Winning video may be used in promotional materials.
  • Entries will be judged on 4 categories including: Authenticity, Execution, Difficulty, and Technique.
  • Previous Video Scholarship winners are not eligible for consecutive years on the same instrument.
  • Video Scholarship Winners are limited to instrument classes for which they won the scholarship.