"ACDA is such an important part of my education and preparation to become a choral director. The scholarship I received from the FMC Endowment Fund allowed me to not only attend the 2010 convention, but also really enjoy it! Being a part of NCACDA has enriched my life and education; I am so thankful to have been a scholarship recipient!"
— Jackie Potvin, North Central ACDA Conference Scholarship
                
"Receiving the scholarship allowed me to attend the ACDA Summer Dialogue when I otherwise would have not been able to afford it. As a new choir teacher in the coming fall it provided an opportunity of a lifetime. The education I received while attending the ACDA Summer Dialogue allowed me to feel more comfortable and secure with teaching choir for the first time. I also established a support network of directors in my region."
— Elizabeth Strandberg, Summer Dialogue Scholarship
 
"I am most deeply grateful for the generous scholarship I received through the FMC. It has afforded me the opportunity to pursue a Masters in Choral Conducting through St. Cloud State University. My course study has been exremely beneficial to my growth as a musician, teacher and conductor. The opportunities that I have been able to partake in have been a great source of motivation and renewed spirit within me as a conductor.
— Tim Cayler, Graduate Study Scholarship
 
"Attending this conference as a music education major was truly mind-blowing and awe-inspiring. Please accept my thanks to all at ACDA for providing this opportunity. I think this conference tipped the first domino in a regional singing revolution!"
— Ryan Werdon, North Central ACDA Conference Scholarship
 
"I was extremely grateful to receive the FMC Endowment scholarship to attend the ACDA-MN Summer Dialogue in 2010. As a recent college graduate in tough economic times, the scholarship made it possible for me to network for the first time with my colleagues from around the state and learn more about the craft to which I have dedicated my life. It really meant a lot to me simply to be able to attend, let alone interact with and learn from the incredibly helpful and friendly ACDA staff and members."
— AJ Lund, Summer Dialogue Scholarship

Scholarships

The F. Melius Christiansen Endowment Fund offers four types of scholarships to provide Minnesota choral conductors with professional development opportunities.

I. ACDA-MN Summer Dialogue Scholarships for Conductors - deadline June 1

II. ACDA National and Division Conference Scholarships for Students - deadline December 1

III. Graduate Study Scholarships - deadline December 1

IV. World Symposium on Choral Music Scholarships - December 1 deadline of the year prior to the Symposium 

I. ACDA-MN Summer Dialogue Scholarships

Scholarships will be awarded annually to Minnesota conductors for attendance at ACDA-MN's Summer Dialogue conference which is held every August in conjunction with the Minnesota All-State Choir camps. Membership in ACDA is not required. Undergraduate students and previous recipients are ineligible. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

Scholarships will be awarded to Minnesota conductors in the following categories:

  1. Scholarships (registration and shared lodging) for conductors with 0-2 years of experience
  2. Scholarships (registration only) for experienced conductors who have never attended Dialogue

The application must include:

  • a current resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail information
  • a description of applicant's choral conducting experience
  • at least two concert programs representing the applicant’s work as a choral conductor. Student conductors may include a recommendation from a supervising conductor/instructor in lieu of programs.
  • a completed registration form for ACDA of Minnesota Summer Dialogue
  • a brief description of what or who led you to pursue attendance at ACDA-MN's Summer Dialogue conference.

Deadline for application is June 1
Download application form: PDF      MS Word

Note:  Scholarship recipients are expected to make every effort to receive the maximum benefit of programs for which scholarships are presented by being in attendance for the full duration of the program.  Any extenuating circumstances that might make this impossible should be noted on the application form.

Please complete:  _____ I am; _____I am not able to attend the full duration of the Summer Dialogue conference.  If not, please explain. Send to:

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286

II. ACDA National and Division Conference Scholarships for Students

The F. Melius Christiansen Endowment Fund will annually offer scholarships of up to $1000 for graduate students and collegiate juniors and seniors who are pursuing a career in choral conducting to attend the ACDA National Conference and up to $800 to attend the ACDA North Division Conference. The scholarship will assist with registration, shared lodging, meals and transportation. The scholarship will not reimburse expenses for the purchase of music, books, resources or other conference materials. This is not a cash award. The FMC Endowment Fund will reimburse expenses (for which receipts are submitted) of up to the total amount of each scholarship awarded. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee. Applicants must be ACDA student members in Minnesota.

The application must include:

  • a current resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail information
  • a recommendation from the student’s college/university choral conductor
  • a completed registration form for the conference
  • a statement of how this experience might impact the applicant’s preparation as a choral conductor

Deadline for application is December 1
Download application form: PDF      MS Word

Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286

III. Graduate Study Scholarships

Scholarships of up to $4000 per candidate will be awarded for full-time graduate study.
Scholarships of up to $1450 per candidate will be awarded for part-time graduate study.
Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

Qualifications:

applicant must be an ACDA member who resides in the state of Minnesota
applicant must be in pursuit of an advanced degree in a choral music program
applicant must have at least two years of choral conducting experience in the state of Minnesota

The application must include:

  • a current resume, including complete home and work addresses, phone, and e-mail information
  • a description of applicant’s choral conducting experience
  • at least three concert programs representing the applicant’s work as a choral conductor
  • a list of ACDA activities and events in which the applicant has participated  
  • the name of the graduate school(s) to which applicant has been accepted or is attending
  • a detailed description of the graduate degree program being pursued

Deadline for application is December 1
Download application form: PDF        MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286

IV. World Symposium on Choral Music Scholarships

Up to $3000 in scholarships will be awarded ACDA of Minnesota members to attend the World Symposium on Choral Music, an event which is held every 3 years. This is not a cash award. The FMC Endowment will reimburse each recipient's expenses (for which receipts are submitted) up to the total amount of each scholarship awarded. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

Qualifications:

  • applicants must have a minimum of 5 years active and current membership in ACDA of Minnesota
  • recipient must attend the entire symposium
  • recipient will write an article on the symposium for the fall issue of the Star of the North

The application must include:

  • current resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail information
  • recommendations and contact information from three references, including at least one administrator and one colleague
  • a list of ACDA activities and events in which the applicant has participated
  • list other potential sources of financial assistance

Deadline for application is December 1
(of the year prior to the symposium)
Download application form: PDF      MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286
 

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