Scholarships
MYSO is committed to making quality musical experiences available to as many qualified students as possible.
Limited tuition assistance is available to MYSO members via written application. Financial need is a major consideration for scholarship applicants.
Please check out the following scholarships:
- Tuition Scholarship
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MYSO is committed to making quality musical experiences available to as many students as possible.
Tuition assistance is available for MYSO members on a limited basis. Financial need is a major consideration for scholarship applicants.
Please know that students who receive scholarship assistance in a particular season are required to return to MYSO during the following season, if they qualify. - Private Lesson Scholarship
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Private Lesson Application
MYSO strongly encourages all students to study with a top quality private teacher. There is good evidence that this will help you to progress more quickly and keep up with the progress of other students.
Why Private Lessons?
We are fortunate to live in an area where there are many gifted professional musicians. If you are not currently studying privately, consider starting very soon!
MYSO has lists of private teachers (and limited scholarship money available for those who have been in the MYSO program for at least a year and demonstrate some financial need). You need to apply for these scholarships, generally in the summer--applications are available in the MYSO office.
When looking for an instructor, do not limit yourself geographically. Seek the best instructor you can; it makes an enormous difference. Outside help from experts is essential in correcting weaknesses in tone, pitch, technique, rhythm, etc. Such learning will allow you to to play your music with greater ease and make your musical time more fun.
Selecting a Teacher
Provided you work hard and are disciplined, a good teacher will be able to help you achieve and will teach you more than just the notes.
Be careful in your selection of a teacher, and make sure you have the right tools and attitude to embark on this adventure in the arts. Call us if we can help!
Please know that students who receive scholarship assistance in a particular season are required to return to MYSO during the following season, if they qualify.
- Janet Fleming Ruggeri Memorial Scholarship
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Ruggeri Viola Scholarship application
Over the summer, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Inc. invites applications from young violists from Southeastern Wisconsin who are between the ages of 8-19 for the annual Janet Fleming Ruggeri Memorial Scholarships. One or more scholarships will be awarded from the investment income from the Janet Fleming Ruggeri Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by MYSO.
The Fund was established with the net proceeds from a concert given by Elmar Oliveira, Roger Ruggeri and other friends at the Pabst Theater on May 11, 1988. The Fund stands as a memorial to the life of Janet Fleming Ruggeri (1939-1985), former Associate Principal Violist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The income from the Fund is currently designated to assist deserving young violists within the geographical area served by MYSO. The Fund has provided important support for a number of aspiring violists who are now well on their way to careers as professional musicians.
While MYSO participation will generally be seen as necessary for consideration of assistance, other applicants will be examined if deserving MYSO participants are not available. MYSO expects that scholarship awards will generally be given to high school students; however, younger students or first year college students will also be eligible. All scholarship awards are given at the discretion of the Ruggeri Scholarship Committee, and several scholarships may be awarded in a given year, however, it is envisioned that the award amounts should have a very meaningful impact on the music development of the awardees and that only very promising talents should be considered.Scholarship Benefits
Types of costs funded can include MYSO tuition, ongoing private study, attendance at a music camp or training program, participation in a solo competition, a portion of tuition expenses for the first year of college for a viola major and other expenses consistent with general purposes of the Fund.
Financial circumstances will be considered but will not be paramount in the determination.Applicants
Interested students should make sure they are on the MYSO mailing list before June 1st to ensure they receive the application by mail. Applicants should complete the application form and submit it together with a cassette tape or CD on which they play two contrasting movements of a concerto or a sonata (piano accompaniment optional). Applicants should include at least one letter of recommendation from a music teacher regarding their perceptions of the student and his or her anticipated use of any awarded funds. Applications are due in late August. MYSO may request finalists to participate in supplemental auditions or interviews.
We are extremely grateful to Roger Ruggeri and his colleagues for making it possible for MYSO to offer this outstanding musical and educational opportunity. - Dean Potokar Memorial Scholarship
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Dean Potokar was a tremendously valuable member of the MYSO Board of Directors who died very suddenly in 1995. Though not a musician, Dean saw the enormous benefits--musical and otherwise--of music study and MYSO participation. He was particularly interested in the kind of character development that he saw in so many of the young people in MYSO. The award, which was established shortly after his untimely death, is given to graduating seniors who have participated in the MYSO program for a number of years and achieved at a high level,with special emphasis on leadership, attitude, service and loyalty to the organization--all things which Dean considered to be of great value. Some honorees offer their services to MYSO in ways their peers may not even be aware of - such as working with younger MYSO students and doing countless community performances on MYSO's behalf. They possess a desire to immerse themselves in music, opting to participate in a huge variety of musical opportunities offered to them in MYSO and elsewhere, including chamber orchestra, chamber ensembles, summer music activities, theory classes, history and listening sessions, and more. The award is meant to recognize more than just fine playing. As a group, these students have been integral to the MYSO program and have displayed outstanding leadership, professionalism, attitude, commitment and service to the MYSO program.
Honorees are chosen by the conductors and the MYSO staff. They are announced at the end of the season, generally at a final dress rehearsal or concert. We are able to offer this award thanks to Dean's employer—Chase—and generous contributions from Dean's family and friends.
