Weston Noble Music Scholarships
Weston Noble (1922-2016)
Believing that music making benefits all people, Weston Noble established a generous scholarship program that assures broad participation in ensembles by students from all academic areas. Weston Noble served as conductor of the Luther College Concert Band from 1948-1973 and the Nordic Choir from 1948-2005.
About the Weston Noble Music Scholarships
Incoming students who display outstanding potential for participation in Luther’s major music ensembles can audition for Weston Noble Music Scholarships. Music faculty award scholarships in several areas of interest, including vocal music, band, orchestra, keyboard and jazz.
Value:
$12,000 to $28,000 over four years ($3,000 to $7,000 per year).
Selection Criteria:
Awards are given to students who display outstanding potential for participation in music at Luther.
Application:
Complete a Luther admission application, music scholarship application, and audition with the Music Department before the annual deadline.
Renewal:
Renewable for students enrolled full-time up to 8 semesters providing that the student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress and participating in both a qualifying ensemble and applied music lessons in the area of the scholarship (1 credit).*
Notes:
*Applied music lessons incur an additional charge each semester.
Applicants do not need to major in music to be eligible. This scholarship is offered in addition to other academic awards and scholarships for which students may qualify. Students may audition in up to two instruments but the scholarship is awarded in only one instrument area. Participation in additional ensemble areas is still possible, but will not count toward the requirement for annual renewal of the scholarship.
For more information, please see the Music Department Student Guidelines (rev. August 2022).
Incoming scholarship candidates who have completed a Luther admission application and music scholarship application may arrange an audition through the Admissions department prior to the deadline each year (Friday, April 5, 2024). Musicians who complete their Luther application after April 1st may be considered for a deadline extension. Notify the Admissions office of your interest.
Applied students may audition in up to two instrument areas for consideration of one Weston Noble Music Scholarship in the area of Instrumental or Vocal music. Official scholarship notification is sent once a student has been accepted to Luther. Visit the music scholarship application page to learn more.
Weston Noble Scholarship Audition Requirements by Instrument
For each of the below instruments, memorization is not required, and no accompanist is necessary.
Trumpet:
- Solo or etude from recent study or All-State audition tryout material.
Horn:
- Sonata or Concerto with contrasting movements or sections which demonstrates your tone quality, technical ability, and musicianship (Two pieces with contrasting styles is also acceptable).
- Chromatic scale covering entire range.
Trombone:
- Solo or etude from recent study or All-State audition tryout material.
Euphonium:
- Solo or etude from recent study or All-State audition tryout material.
Tuba:
- Solo or etude from recent study or All-State audition tryout material.
Jazz Electric Bass or Upright Bass:
- Three different scales of your choice (for example: major, natural minor, and blues and jazz scales).
- Two pieces you are playing or have played with a Jazz Band (one swing and one straight-eighth, rock or latin).
- Improvisation on a blues form or dorian mode (for example: “So What”).
Classical Guitar:
- Works from any of the 5 periods of guitar literature. Examples include:
- Renaissance (Dowland, Mudarra, Navarez)
- Baroque (DeVisee, Sanz, J.S. Bach)
- Classical (Sor, Guiliani, Paganini, Agnado)
- Spanish Romantic (Tarrega, Barrios, Llobet, Pujol, Torroba)
- 20th Century (Brouwer, Duarte, Brindle)
- Memorization and accompaniment not required.
Jazz Guitar:
- One medium tempo swing tune and one selection in a contrasting style (e.g. ballad, Latin, straight-eighth)
- Play the melody, improvise, and comp on each tune.
- Memorization required.
- Bring a “play-along” recording, such as an Aebersold, to use as an accompaniment for your selections.
- Sight reading: melody and chord changes.
- One solo piece which demonstrates your most advanced technical and lyrical playing styles, OR 2 contrasting pieces.
- Prepare an orchestral cadenza: either the Nutcracker or Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.
- Memorization and accompaniment not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Piano:
- Two pieces in contrasting styles
- Memorization required
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Organ:
- Two pieces of organ literature in contrasting styles
- One hymn
- Memorization not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
- Prepare a solo on all or any of the 3 groups: snare drum (concert or rudimental style), mallets (two or four), or timpani.
- Prospective music and music education majors should perform materials in all three of the above groups.
- Drum kit is optional.
- Memorization and accompaniment are not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass:
- Two contrasting solo pieces that show tone, articulation, and level of technical development.
- Etude may be substituted for one solo piece.
- Memorization and accompaniment are not required. Student may bring an accompanist if desired.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment
Double Bass players:
- Arrangements can be made for Luther basses to be checked out for an audition with prior notice.
- Two selections of contrasting tempo and/or style from the classical art song repertoire
- An opera or oratorio aria may be substituted for one selection.
- If you are auditioning during the Dorian Vocal Festival, only one selection is required due to the number of auditions we hear on this weekend.
- Memorization is required.
- The student vocalist does not need to bring an accompanist to auditions taking place at Luther. There will be a pianist for the audition, though there will not be a rehearsal with the pianist prior to the audition.
- Bring a copy of the music (in the key to be performed) for auditions taking place at Luther.
- Virtual auditions: submit both solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment, performed with live accompaniment or an accompaniment track, if possible. In addition to conversation, virtual appointments may consist of vocal exercises (range), tonal memory exercises, and singing excerpts of the submitted repertoire.
For each of the below instruments, memorization is not required.
Flute:
- Two pieces or etudes of contrasting styles showing different aspects of playing ability.
- Chromatic scale in 3 octaves.
- Accompaniment not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Oboe:
- Two pieces in contrasting styles, such as two movements from a concerto, sonata, or concert piece; or two contrasting etudes.
- Accompaniment not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Clarinet (all types):
- One solo with contrasting sections (1 or more slow/lyrical sections; and 1 or more sections of rapid technical passages), appropriate for use in state solo and ensemble contests.
- Accompaniment recommended but not required; will not be provided.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Saxophones (all types):
- One solo with contrasting sections (1 or more slow/lyrical sections; and 1 or more sections of rapid technical passages), appropriate for use in state solo and ensemble contests.
- Accompaniment recommended but not required; will not be provided.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.
Bassoon:
- Two contrasting movements from any major concerto, sonata, or concert piece. Advanced etudes are also appropriate
- Accompaniment not required.
- Virtual auditions: submit solo selections via video links in advance of your appointment.