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Scholarship Competitions and Awards - School of Music
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Scholarship Competitions and Awards

This is a list of School of Music Competitions and Scholarships that require an application or audition.

These competitions are open only to currently enrolled SOM students, with the exception of the Martirano Award which excludes current students.

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Please be aware that, unless otherwise noted, monetary awards will be applied directly to your student account, which could cause adjustments to your financial aid package. If you are concerned about this, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 217-333-0100 prior to applying for an Award or Scholarship.

Paul Rolland Memorial String Award
Application deadline: Fri, 9/26/2025
Final round: 11/7/2025, 3:00 – 7:00 PM

Krannert Debut Artist
Finalist nominations due: TBD
Final round: 1/27/2026, 1:30 – 5:00 PM

Concerto Competition
Finalist nominations due: TBD
Final round: 2/27/2026, 4:00-9:00 PM

Smith Competition
Application deadline: TBD
Final round: 3/27/2026, 4:00-9:00 PM

Clara Rolland Memorial Piano Competition
Nominations due: Mon, 3/24/2025 at 5:00 PM
Final round 4/4/2025, 4:00-9:00 PM

21st Century Piano Commission Competition
Applications accepted beginning November 1, 2024
Applications close February 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM

For more information on specific competitions, refer to the links below:

Clara Rolland Piano Competition 

Open to currently enrolled undergraduate piano majors.

Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship 

Open to undergraduate and graduate students in music annually.

Krannert Debut Artist 

Open to all woodwind, brass, percussion, string, keyboard and voice students (finalists nominated by Area).

Salvatore Martirano Composition Award 

Open to any composer, regardless of age or nationality. Previous winners, faculty, and currently-enrolled students at the University of Illinois are ineligible for this award.

Paul Rolland Memorial String Award 

Open to all violinists enrolled as current MM or undergraduate students at the University of Illinois School of Music.​

Thomas J. Smith Scholarship Competition 

Awarded each year to undergraduate women who are U of I School of Music majors and residents of Illinois. Faculty nomination is required for students who wish to participate in the competition.

UISO Concerto Competition 

  • Open to all currently enrolled woodwind, brass, percussion, string, keyboard, and voice students.
  • Up to three winners are chosen to perform with the UI Symphony Orchestra the following academic year.

21st Century Piano Commission Competition 

21st Century Piano Commission Competition offers a cash prize for a composition featuring the piano. Entries are submitted by collaborative teams of composers and performers from the School of Music.

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