Leonard Bernstein Scholarship Fund

The Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program at Brandeis University is a full-tuition scholarship named after the famed composer and conductor, who was a founding member of the Brandeis arts community. The program is open to entering first-year students who are accomplished instrumentalists or vocalists. For the 2025-26 academic year, the program is awarded to violinists, pianists, and vocalists. Recipients receive free private lessons, chamber music coaching with members of the Lydian String Quartet and other faculty artists, and large ensemble performance opportunities. The scholarship is renewable for four years, making the total value approximately $260,000 based on Brandeis tuition of roughly $65,000 per year.

Application Details

The Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program is tied to admission to Brandeis University. You apply through the regular admissions process and indicate on the supplement page of your Brandeis application that you want to be considered for the program.

Submission Requirements

• Indicate interest on the supplement page of your Brandeis application
• Submit a recorded music audition through Slideoom
• Violinists: Two to three solo violin and/or chamber recordings
• Pianists: Recordings of three works, ideally representing varying styles
• Vocalists: Recordings of three works, ideally representing varying styles and languages
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• No separate music major requirement (you can major in any field but must declare a minor in music)

Slideroom Submission Deadlines

Program Requirements (if selected)

To maintain the scholarship, recipients must:

• Maintain satisfactory participation and performance in Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program ensembles
• Declare a minor in music by completing specific courses:
  • MUS 3b (Global Soundscape) or MUS 136a (Critical Listening)
  • Two semesters of music theory (MUS 101a and 101b) plus co-requisite lab (MUS 102a and 102b)
  • Two electives (one must be a MUS course; the second may be cross-listed with music)

Key Benefits

• Full tuition coverage: Approximately $65,000 per year, renewable for four years (total value approximately $260,000)
• Free private lessons: Included with the scholarship, no additional lesson fees
• Chamber music coaching: Work directly with members of the Lydian String Quartet and other Brandeis faculty artists
• Performance opportunities: Large ensemble and chamber performance experiences throughout the year
• No music major required: You can pursue any major at Brandeis while maintaining the scholarship (only a music minor is required)
• Renewable: The scholarship covers all four years of undergraduate study, provided you meet program requirements

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

• Must attend Brandeis University: The scholarship is only available to students enrolled at Brandeis. You cannot use it at another institution.
• Music minor required: Even if you want to study biology or computer science, you must declare a minor in music and complete the specified coursework. This adds academic requirements to your schedule.
• Instrument rotation varies by year: The program does not always accept all instruments. For 2025-26, only violinists, pianists, and vocalists are eligible. In other years, violists and cellists have been included. Check the current year's requirements before applying.
• No jazz, guitar, or wind instruments: The program is limited to specific instruments and does not cover jazz performance, guitar, woodwinds, brass, or percussion.
• Competitive: The program selects a small cohort each year. The exact number of awards is not published, but the program describes itself as "highly selective."
• Location: Brandeis is in Waltham, Massachusetts (near Boston). If you are looking for a conservatory environment, this is a university program, not a standalone music school.

Real-World Example

A 17-year-old pianist applying to Brandeis for fall 2026 entry submits her application by the Regular Decision deadline of February 1, 2026. On the supplement page, she indicates interest in the Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program. She submits three recordings through Slideoom: a Beethoven sonata, a Chopin nocturne, and a Debussy prelude, representing varying styles. She has a 3.8 GPA and strong academic credentials.

If selected, she receives full tuition coverage for four years (approximately $260,000 total). She takes private lessons with Brandeis faculty at no cost, participates in chamber music coaching with the Lydian String Quartet, and performs in university ensembles. She majors in neuroscience but completes a music minor by taking music theory, global soundscape, and two electives. Upon graduation, she has a degree in neuroscience, a minor in music, and no tuition debt from her undergraduate studies.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program is one of the few full-tuition music scholarships at a major US research university that does not require you to major in music. If you are a strong violinist, pianist, or vocalist who wants a liberal arts education alongside high-level music training, this program eliminates the financial barrier while giving you access to professional faculty and performance opportunities.

The trade-off is that Brandeis is not a conservatory. The music training is serious but does not compare to the intensity of Juilliard, Curtis, or Eastman. If your primary goal is a performance career at the highest level, a dedicated conservatory may serve you better. If you want to keep your career options open while maintaining your musicianship at a high level, the Bernstein Scholars Program is an excellent fit.

Visit the Leonard Bernstein Scholars Program page for the most current application requirements and deadlines.

Related Opportunities

• National YoungArts Foundation for US-based young musicians seeking recognition and funding
• From the Top for classical musicians aged 8 to 18 seeking performance opportunities and scholarships
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to compare Brandeis with other music programs
• Streaming Royalty Calculator to project your earnings as a performing musician