Scholarships

Scholarship Applications

TODA Scholarship Applications will close April 30th.

TODA Memorial Scholarship

TODA welcomes and encourages scholarship donations to ensure we can do our part to promote students study orchestral music and go on to become Orchestra Directors in Texas. TODA strives to award a minimum of two scholarships each year. As funds permit, the Barbara Eads Memorial Scholarship will be an award 20% greater than the other award(s). All awards are for one year only. A donation can be made in honor of or in memory of a person you so desire and this gift will be acknowledged in our annual Convention program and on our website.

One of the scholarship awards each year is the Barbara Eads Memorial Scholarship in honor and memory of one of TODA’s beloved past presidents, which was the inspiration for establishing a scholarship fund. Barbara left us in 2010. Many of our members donate every year to the Fund, enabling us to award critical scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Thank you!

The question was raised recently about establishing additional scholarships in recognition of other notable members of our TODA family. This was an excellent question that needed to be addressed. As you know, TODA is a small organization, and after much consideration the TODA Board decided that our organization is not able to justify establishing additional scholarships. To recognize other individuals, however, the Board made the decision to rename the Fund the TODA Memorial Scholarship Fund, while retaining one Barbara Eads Scholarship each year (funds permitting) in recognition of Barbara’s legacy. Whether you donate on the website or by calling the TODA office at 512-474-2801, you now have the ability to specify your gift in honor of a particular person. Please consider donating to the Scholarship Fund every year when you renew membership! We need your help in ensuring a legacy of orchestra leaders! Donors will be recognized in the annual convention program.

Guidelines and Criteria

TODA offers two types of scholarships; one for graduating, college-bound High School Seniors and another one for students already enrolled in a college or university. The latter requires a minimum of 45+ credit hours and a 3.0 GPA toward a degree in music education.

Eligibility requirements for the one-year HS graduate, college-bound scholarships:

Must be entering as a full-time freshman in the Fall following the summer the award is presented
Must be entering a Texas college or university taking a minimum of 12 hours
Must major in a music degree program leading to Texas teacher certification with music as the primary teaching field
Must be sponsored by a current TODA Member

Eligibility requirements for the college enrolled scholarships:

Must have a minimum of 45+ credit hours or college course work toward a degree in music education
Must show proof of current enrollment in a Texas college or university with a declared major in music education or similar major
Must have an overall GPA of 3.0

Application Criteria and required documentation for all undergraduate scholarships

Completed TODA Scholarship Application
Self-composed short essay (1-2 pages) that describes your reasons for becoming a teacher, commitment to music education, and future career goals
3-5 evaluations from individuals who can address your potential for success in an undergraduate music education program, potential for success as a music educator, music skills and abilities, work ethic and other personal qualities. One evaluation must be submitted by your primary ensemble director and/or a current TODA member
Professional style resume that includes a list of any All-State or All-Region groups in which you have participated, any musical honors you have achieved, and any academic or non-musical honors you have achieved
Copy of your current academic transcript
Recent photo & short biography – these will not be made visible to the Scholarship Committee, and will only be used by the TODA Office in the event you are selected.

Scholarship Donations

TODA welcomes and encourages scholarship donations to ensure we can do our part to support college students studying orchestral music to become Orchestra Directors in Texas. We rely on TODA members to sustain this scholarship program. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.