The Percussive Arts Society (PAS)

PAS Scholarships are merit-based awards and grants offered by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), providing educational scholarships of $2,000 and convention attendance grants for percussion students at every level. PAS administers eight named scholarship funds, program grants, and PASIC attendance scholarships. The 2026 PASIC convention runs November 11 to 14 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where many awards are announced.

How PAS Scholarships Work

PAS divides its funding into three categories: educational scholarships, program grants, and PASIC attendance scholarships. Each has its own application window and requirements.

Educational Scholarships

Educational scholarships open on April 1, 2026 and close on April 30, 2026. The next application window after that is Spring 2027. All educational scholarships require active PAS membership. The eight named scholarship funds are:

• Armand Zildjian Percussion Scholarship: $2,000 annual award for a full-time student percussionist enrolled in the School of Music at an accredited college or university. Applicants must be an incoming college freshman or current student for the 2027 to 2028 academic year. Requires a letter of recommendation and a video demonstrating ability on at least two different percussion instruments (maximum 10 minutes).
• Fred Hoey Memorial Scholarship: For percussion students meeting specific criteria published on the PAS website.
• Freddie Gruber Scholarship: Supports drum set students in their studies.
• Jim Chapin Memorial Teacher Scholarship: For students pursuing percussion education.
• John E. Grimes Timpani Scholarship: For timpani specialists.
• Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship: For drum set and contemporary percussion students.
• PAS/Hudson Music Neil Peart Drum Set Scholarship: Honoring the late Rush drummer, this scholarship supports drum set students.
• Steve Weiss Memorial Grant: Opens April 1, 2026, deadline June 1, 2026. Supports percussion programs and projects.

Zildjian Family Opportunity Fund

This fund opens on February 2, 2026 with a deadline of March 2, 2026. It provides funding for percussion education opportunities, with details and eligibility criteria published on the PAS website.

PASIC Scholarships

PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) scholarships open in May 2026 and assist students with the cost of attending PASIC 2026 in Indianapolis, November 11 to 14. These scholarships typically cover convention registration and may include travel stipends. PASIC is the largest percussion event in the world, featuring over 120 concerts, clinics, master classes, and workshops across all percussion disciplines.

Eligibility

• Active PAS membership at the time of application
• Enrollment in an accredited college or university School of Music (for educational scholarships)
• Video demonstration on at least two different percussion instruments (for the Zildjian scholarship)
• Specific requirements vary by scholarship fund

Real-World Example

A 19-year-old percussion performance major at a US university applies for the Armand Zildjian Percussion Scholarship in April 2026. She submits a completed application, a letter of recommendation from her applied teacher verifying her age and full-time enrollment, and a 9-minute video showing her performing a marimba solo and an orchestral snare drum excerpt. The $2,000 award, if she wins, goes toward her 2027 to 2028 tuition. She also applies for a PASIC scholarship in May 2026 to attend the November convention in Indianapolis, where she can network with faculty from graduate programs and attend the international competitions.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Percussionists face unique costs compared to other instrumentalists. Quality instruments, mallets, and travel to conventions add up quickly. The $2,000 Armand Zildjian Scholarship can cover a semester of marimba repairs or a new set of timpani mallets. PASIC attendance scholarships remove the financial barrier to the single most important networking event in the percussion world.

PASIC draws university faculty, symphony principals, and industry manufacturers from across the globe. A scholarship that gets you to Indianapolis for four days puts you in front of the people who hire for teaching positions, ensemble openings, and artist endorsements. The Neil Peart Drum Set Scholarship and Freddie Gruber Scholarship specifically target drum set players, a category often overlooked by traditional music scholarship programs.

Maintain your PAS membership year-round, since scholarship applications require active membership at the time of submission. Prepare your video materials early, as the April 30 deadline for educational scholarships leaves little room for last-minute recording sessions.

Related Opportunities

• ITEA Scholarships for tuba and euphonium students
• ITG Scholarships for trumpet students
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to find percussion programs worldwide
• Visit the PAS website for official scholarship details and application forms