Benton-Schmidt Vocal Scholarships

The annual Benton-Schmidt audition days provide scholarship awards up to $30,000 to promising incoming graduate students. Awards are given based on excellence in vocal performance and versatility as revealed through the performance audition. Scholarship prizes are for the academic year beginning the following Fall semester.

Funds for these scholarships were made possible through the bequest of Joseph H. Benton, internationally-acclaimed tenor, long-time teacher and devoted supporter of vocal art, in honor of his much-revered voice teacher at the University of Oklahoma, William George Frederick Schmidt.

Eligibility

Singers must first apply to the University of Oklahoma School of Music as a graduate student pursuing an MM or DMA in Voice. All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate program (and Master's program, if DMA applicant) to compete and receive scholarship. The completed application must be completed by the deadline listed below. Students who are awarded the scholarship will receive the award when they enter the graduate program the following Fall semester.

Repertoire Requirements

The repertoire requirements depend on the degree your are planning on pursuing.

See website for repertoire requirements.

Dates and Deadlines

December 1, 2023 - DMA Voice Application Deadline (pre-screening video due)

December 15, 2023 - MM Voice Application Deadline

January 15, 2024 - Deadline for Benton-Schmidt Scholarship Applications

January 27, 2024 - Benton-Schmidt Audition Day #1

February 17, 2024 - Benton-Schmidt Audition Day #2

Application / Audition

For incoming students pursuing a graduate degree in voice, the audition alone is sufficient. For singers interested in enrolling in the Opera Emphasis Master's degree program, an interview with the opera faculty will be scheduled on the day of their audition.

Before applying for an audition, you must submit your graduate application to the OU School of Music. Click the button on website for graduate admissions information. Within a day or two of submitting your graduate application, the School of Music will acknowledge receipt of the application by email.