Choral Music Talent Grants

Morningside University welcomes prospective students to consider the following primary choral music grants. One primary grant may be received per student. 

General Choral Music Grant – $5,000 

Morningside offers all prospective students who have designated choral/vocal music to be their primary participation area to receive a $5,000 talent grant to participate in a choral ensemble. This award requires an informal voice hearing during a campus visit or through a submitted recording. At the hearing, the student may sing a formal or informal song of their choosing, or complete basic vocal exercises with the choral professor. The grant may also be renewed each year the student registers for and participates in one of the university’s three choral course offerings. Recordings may be uploaded and links emailed to Shannon Salyards-Burton at burtonsh@morningside.edu.

Mustang Choral Music Grant – $7,500 

This special financial award will be presented to select vocalists who demonstrate exceptionally high vocal performance skills and music aptitude during a live campus audition. To be considered, students must audition for a Morningside choral faculty member by Friday, February 5, 2027, and students will be notified of their selection via email by Friday, February 19. The chosen grant students must also provide written notice that they have accepted or declined the award, been admitted into the university with a completed FAFSA, and submitted a university enrollment deposit at www.morningside.edu/deposit by Monday, March 1, 2027. Notification of award acceptance or declination may be sent to Shannon Salyards-Burton at burtonsh@morningside.edu. After receiving the grant, it may be renewed each year the student registers for and participates in one of the university’s four choral course offerings. All recipients must plan to audition for The Morningside Choir each August. 

Audition Guidelines 

Each interested student will present at least one art song or aria from memory, and the selection may be performed in any language. (Broadway musical selections will also be considered.) Performances should be accompanied by piano and may be between 2-4 minutes in length. If needed, Morningside will provide the auditioning student with a piano accompanist. However, a scanned copy of the sheet music should be emailed at least five (5) days prior to the audition. Auditioning students will also complete one basic sight-reading example, as well as tonal memory exercises, in which a series of pitches will be played on the piano and the student will sing them back. The audition will be heard by one faculty member.

Theater Talent Grants

Morningside University welcomes prospective students to consider the following primary theater grants. One primary grant may be received per student.

Primary Theatre Talent Grant – $5,000 

Morningside offers all prospective who have designated theatre to be their primary participation area to receive a $5,000 talent grant to participate in Morningside theatre productions. This award requires an informal acting audition or technical/design portfolio review during a campus visit, or through a video conference with one of the Performing Arts Faculty. The audition/portfolio review requirements are outlined below. The grant is renewable each year the student participates in Morningside theatre productions. Auditions/portfolio reviews may be setup through a Morningside Admissions Counselor or directly through Crockett Ward at wardc@morningside.edu.

Acting Audition Requirements: 

This is for students that are primarily interested in or who have a background in the acting/performance side of theatre. Students are asked to prepare at least one (1) sixty second monologue or one (1) musical theatre song which they will perform for a member of the Performing Arts Faculty. Students are encouraged to memorize their audition pieces but are not required too. The chosen piece may be from something the student worked on or memorized from a previous production or speech competition that they performed in. The faculty member may provide the student with feedback and direction and have them preform the piece again in order to assess the students ability to incorporate feedback into their performance. Students should also prepare a resume listing out their theatre experience and any other experiences they feel are relevant (Ex: speech, debate, theatre or music classes, etc.). This resume can be printed and brought with to the audition or emailed to Crockett Ward at wardc@morningside.edu.

Technical or Design Portfolio Requirements: 

This is for students that are primarily interested in or have a background in the technical/design areas of theatre. Students are asked to prepare a portfolio that showcases their design work or their technical skills (wood working, metal working, crafts, etc). The portfolio may be physical, digital, or a combination. Students are encouraged to supply pictures, videos, audio, drafting, renderings, or anything else that they feel shows off their talents in these areas. While reviewing the portfolio, the faculty member will ask students questions regarding their design choices and process. Students should also prepare a resume listing their theatre experience and any other experiences they feel are relevant (Ex: speech, debate, art/industrial arts classes, construction job, etc.). This resume can be printed and brought with to the portfolio review or emailed to Crockett Ward at wardc@morningside.edu.

Show us your creativity through a portfolio review.

Portfolio Requirements

Submit around 12-20 pieces that showcase your artistic ability and growth.

Your portfolio may include a variety of mediums, including:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Ceramics
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Graphic Design
• Digital Art
• Mixed Media

We prefer to review original work in person during your visit to campus, including printed photography, graphic design, and digital art. Digital portfolios will be reviewed if necessary.

For questions, reach out to Shelby Prindaville at prindavilles@morningside.edu