Scholarship Application 2026

Scholarship Requirements

• LSA scholarships can include full tuition, room & board, and some travel.
• General scholarships are open to all players under the age of 35.
• Scholarship applicants must be current members of the LSA in good standing. If you are not an LSA member, you can join here.
• Students under the age of eighteen must include a letter of understanding from an authorized parent or guardian.
• Applicants who have received scholarships in previous years are not eligible to apply.

Include an essay describing your past experience on lute and in early music. Please include the following points:

• How long you have been playing (lute and/or any other historical or modern instruments).
• Your teachers’ name(s) and how long you have studied with them.
• Repertoire interests.
• Ensemble experience.
• Future plans with the lute.

Feel free to add any other information that will help the scholarship committee form a more complete picture of your skills and learning potential.

Include a live, unedited video recording of two contrasting pieces. The performances may be done on lute or another historical plucked instrument, such as theorbo, cittern, baroque guitar or 19th century guitar. The videos must be recorded live, with a single camera. Neither high production value nor a sophisticated microphone set up or other audio processing is necessary. Raw video taken on a smart phone or laptop camera is acceptable, if not preferred. The committee is interested in hearing and seeing your playing in a way that most accurately reflects your natural performing style. The primary evaluation criteria will be in the areas of technical proficiency, musicality, and demonstrated familiarity with historical performance practice style as applicable to the particular piece being performed.