Yuma Music Educators Association Scholarships

The Yuma County Music Educators Association (YCMEA) is proud to offer a variety of scholarships annually for students interested in attending summer music camps. The following scholarships are available:

1. Ernest Ortega Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship provides full funding for attendance at the Curry Music Camp at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and is specifically designated for middle school band students (students currently in grades 6-8). Please note, the Curry Music Camp is only open to students currently in 8th grade or high school.
    

2. General YCMEA Scholarships: Dependent on funds raised throughout the year, YCMEA offers partial scholarships for a summer camp of the student’s choice. Vocalists and instrumentalists in grades 6-11 are encouraged to apply.
    

3. The Yuma County Arts Alliance, in conjunction with the YCMEA scholarships, offers the John A. Dallabetta Music Scholarship. This scholarship provides a full-ride opportunity to the Curry Music Camp held annually at Northern Arizona University.

   1. Eligibility is extended to current high school students in grades 9-11 who plan to continue their music education as an instrumentalist in a high school in Yuma County the following year.

   2. The scholarship application process consists of three key components:

   3. Online Application: Students must complete the online application form and submit letters of recommendation.
       

   4. Selection of Finalists: The scholarship committee will evaluate applications and letters of recommendation to select finalists.
       

   5. Audition and Interview: Finalists will participate in an audition and interview conducted by the scholarship committee

 

Audition Requirements for all Scholarships:

For the audition, students will be asked to:

1. Perform a solo of their choice.

2. If piano accompaniment is desired, students may either select their own accompanist or contact the scholarship committee, which will arrange for and compensate an accompanist for one rehearsal prior to the audition. 

3. Unaccompanied solos are permitted.

4. Students may also perform with a pre-recorded accompaniment; however, they must provide a device to play the recording during the audition.

5. Perform scales selected by the audition committee. For middle school, scales should be learned up to four sharps and four flats in concert keys. For high school, all twelve major scales and chromatic scale should be prepared. For both levels, students should prepare their scales for the full range of the instrument. 

6. Sight read a short excerpt or etude.

7. Scholarships will be awarded based on the merit of the application, interview, and performance. 

8. Winners are encouraged to perform their solo at a later date if possible. Additionally, the scholarship donor requests to be invited to a performance of the recipient’s choosing. This can be coordinated through the Vice President of the Yuma County Music Educators Association.

To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a music program in Yuma County for the 2025-26 academic year and must be returning to a music program in Yuma County for the 2026-27 school year. Please note that last year’s scholarship recipients are ineligible to apply for the Ernest Ortega Memorial Scholarship or the partial scholarship. However, previous winners may apply for the John A. Dallabetta Scholarship as a returning applicant - students awarded a scholarship previously may apply a apply again the following year or later.

Additionally, NAU’s Curry Music Camp is limited to students currently in grades 8 and above. If younger students receive a scholarship, the funds may be applied to an alternative camp of their choice or towards private lessons.

The application process is the same for all scholarships and students applying for either the Ernest Ortega Memorial Scholarship or the John A. Dallabetta Music Scholarship will automatically be considered for a partial, general scholarship if not selected for the full scholarship. 

The scholarship application process consists of three key components:

1. Online Application: Students must complete the online application form and submit letters of recommendation.

2. Selection of Finalists: The scholarship committee will evaluate applications and letters of recommendation to select finalists.

3. Audition and Interview: Finalists will participate in an audition and interview conducted by the scholarship committee.
    

Audition Format:​​

• Participants will be asked to sight-read music provided by the scholarship committee.

• Perform a solo of applicant’s choice.

  • If piano accompaniment is desired, students may either select their own accompanist or contact the scholarship committee, which will arrange for and compensate an accompanist for one rehearsal prior to the audition. 

  • Unaccompanied solos are permitted.

  • Students may also perform with a pre-recorded accompaniment; however, they must provide a device to play the recording during the audition.

  • Please bring five copies of the full solo (including the accompaniment if applicable) for the judges

• Instrumentalists will be required to play major scales up to four sharps and flats, as well as a chromatic scale for middle school students. High school students should perform all major scales and chromatic scales over the full range of their ability. Scales should be memorized. Vocalists will be asked to sing scales as well. 

• Applicants will complete a brief interview with the scholarship committee during the audition process.

• Scholarship winners will be notified by April of 2026. Funds will be sent directly to the camp or private instructor for lessons awarded.

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Middle school applicants, click here to apply

High school applicants, click here to apply

Directors and teachers, click here to submit a letter of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation may also be sent to mmorley1@yuma.org or uploaded to the application.