The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)

ACDA Scholarships are awards and prizes funded by the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) for choral students, conductors, and educators at various career stages. ACDA is one of the largest professional organizations for choral directors in the world, with chapters across all 50 US states. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and include both national and state-level opportunities.

How ACDA Scholarships Work

ACDA sponsors several national awards and competitions throughout the year. Announcements are published in the Choral Journal and on ChoralNet. The main national awards are:

• Julius Herford Dissertation Prize: Recognizes the top doctoral dissertation in choral music. The submission period for degrees conferred in 2025 opens in spring 2026.
• Robert Shaw Choral Award: Honors an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the choral art. The 2025 nomination period is closed.
• ACDA Student Chapter Award: Recognizes outstanding ACDA student chapters. The 2025 application period is closed.
• Steven M. Demorest Award for Choral Research: Awarded to the highest-scoring poster proposal at the national conference.
• Past President's Award and Wall of Honor: Recognize lifetime achievement and contributions to the choral profession.

State-Level Scholarships

Individual state chapters administer their own scholarship programs with separate funding and deadlines. For example:

• ACDA Minnesota offers a Graduate Study Scholarship for choral conductors pursuing an advanced degree in choral conducting or vocal music education, plus scholarships for high school students attending the NextDirection Student Choral Leadership Conference.
• Oklahoma ACDA (OkCDA) offers both undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students active in choral music in Oklahoma.

State-level scholarships typically require ACDA membership and state residency. Check your local chapter's website for specific deadlines and amounts.

Real-World Example

A graduate student completing a DMA in choral conducting in 2025 could submit their dissertation for the Julius Herford Dissertation Prize when the submission window opens in spring 2026. Winning the Herford Prize adds significant recognition to an academic resume and can open doors to university faculty positions. The award is announced nationally through ACDA publications.

At the state level, a Minnesota choral conductor pursuing a master's degree who has completed at least two years of choral teaching in the state could apply for the ACDA MN Graduate Study Scholarship. The scholarship supports part-time or full-time graduate study, reducing the financial burden of continuing education.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a choral conductor, music educator, or choral composer, ACDA membership is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make. Student membership is affordable, and it grants access to both national awards and state-level scholarships that non-members cannot access.

For undergraduate and graduate students, the state-level scholarships are where the money is. National awards like the Herford Prize are prestigious but competitive. State chapters often have fewer applicants, which increases your odds. Join your state ACDA chapter, attend the annual conference, and network with the board members who serve on scholarship committees.

For working conductors, the Robert Shaw Award and Past President's Award recognize career achievement. You cannot apply for these directly; they require nomination by a peer. Build your professional network within ACDA to ensure your work gets noticed.

Related Opportunities

• AGO Scholarships for organ and church music students
• ASCAP Foundation Scholarships for composers and songwriters
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Awards Directory for performance and composition prizes
• Visit the ACDA Awards and Competitions page for official details and deadlines