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Download 2009-2010 Scholarship Directory (PDF File)

RMF offers two types of scholarships, “merit” awards based upon auditions each Spring, and “need-sensitive” awards, for which financial need is relevant but not the only factor RMF’s Scholarship Committee considers.

In 1971, the board of the Reading Music Foundation identified a need in the music community – scholarships for young musicians. Growing from a few offerings to more than 20 merit-based (audition ranked) scholarships, the program today helps Berks County students pay for music lessons, summer music camp and college music study. Since its inception, the program has provided over $500,000 in support to future musicians. The merit-based scholarship program remains an important effort of the foundation and its scholarship committee, but it now has a new “twin” – a recently unveiled need-sensitive scholarship program.

Let’s face it: Making music better comes with a price. It may begin with practice and the benefit of a school music program as its foundation, but it takes step-up instruments, private lessons and summer music camp/workshop opportunities to take a young musician to the next level. Frequently families find it difficult to include those extras in their household budgets regardless of how committed they are to seeing their children advance to that next level in musicianship. Lacking the financial means, many talented future musicians simply can’t compete with their peers for important rankings that not only help to define their musicianship but also cash prizes and recognition as well. That’s the case for support of the foundation’s new need sensitive scholarship program – student’s who need a help hand.

The foundation will begin accepting applications for 2009 in December 2008. Please visit ELEMENTARY – HIGH SCHOOL MERIT AWARDS or SUMMER CAMP/NEED-SENSITIVE PRIVATE STUDY to view descriptions, requirements and applications.

There are opportunities to students who may not fall under the traditional scholarship program. Please write specific instances with funds requested to Reading Musical Foundation, PO Box 14835, Reading, PA 19612 for review by the Scholarship Committee. Please note that all requests must be students who reside in Berks County and attend Berks County schools (or homeschooled).