Cowichan Music

Judith McIvor Memorial Scholarship

Background: The David Walden Memorial Scholarship was begun in 2011 and continued through 2019. Paused during Covid, and later renamed The Judith McIvor Memorial Scholarship, this $650 Scholarship is offered each year to one successful applicant.  Please direct inquiries to: Ann Mendenhall: annmend2014@outlook.com.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicants must be Canadian citizens/residents with a home address in the Cowichan Valley, who are graduating students expecting to pursue post-secondary studies in music.
2. The applicant must be a Grade 12 student whose primary instrument (the one planning to be pursued) has been taught by a member of the CVMTA in good standing. (CVMTA Membership is open to all Cowichan Valley music teachers. Current yearly dues are $30. Please email Ann Mendenhall for more information.)
3. Assuming more than one applicant, a competition for the Scholarship will be held at a time available to all applicants. For all categories except composition/improvisation, two contrasting pieces/songs should be performed. Total audition time should not exceed 20 minutes. Composition students must submit original score(s) and recording(s) along with their application; they are also expected to attend the audition, and may be asked to improvise.
4.  Applicants will be notified no later than the day after the competition. 
5. Applicants must submit this completed form, along with any supporting documents (which may include recommendations from teacher(s), family members, and others, as well as proof of admittance to a post-secondary music program if this is available) and the $20 application fee* on or before the application deadline, to: Ann Mendenhall, CVMTA President, annmend2014@outlook.com. Application deadline June 15 each year.

• Note: No applicant will barred from applying or auditioning if the fee causes financial
  hardship. Please inquire.
• The scholarship may not be awarded in a given year if no applicant meets the suitability criteria. Conversely, if there is only one qualified applicant, winning is automatic, and instead of auditioning, the candidate may be asked to perform at a CVMTA meeting or function.)

Download the Judith McIvor Scholarship Application here

CVMTA BURSARIES: GUIDELINES and INFORMATION for APPLICANTS

CVMTA bursaries may be applied for by any music student who is currently enrolled in vocal or instrumental studies with a teacher who is a member of the CVMTA. Membership is open to all music teachers in the Cowichan Valley. If your private or school music teacher is not currently a member, please encourage him or her to join.

CVMTA Bursaries are intended to aid families of limited means in their pursuit of quality music educations for their children. In no case will the amount be sufficient to cover all of the costs of lessons. All applications will be reviewed by a committee of impartial teachers who do not have students submitting applications for that season. Absolute confidentiality is guaranteed. Availability of funding is limited and is dependent upon the financial health of the CVMTA.

Some applications may only be partially funded, or declined. Students are encouraged to reapply the following year.
In cases of successful applications, a letter will be sent to the student informing him or her of the amount, and a cheque will be sent in that amount to the teacher. At the teacher’s discretion, it may be applied toward any given month(s) in the season, or pro-rated to reduce monthly tuition for the student throughout the entire season. 

Alternatively, in consultation with the parent, it might be applied toward the student’s cost of books, supplies, exams, festival entries, instrument rental or purchase, etc. Important: Each bursary is specific to the student to whom it has been allocated, and therefore non-transferrable. If a student who has received a bursary is unable to use it, or any portion of it, the money must be returned to the CVMTA.

Students and Parents are encouraged to become active participants in the CVMTA’s Fundraising activities. Please come to our concerts! We also welcome volunteers (for example, encouraging others to come to concerts and/or to donate) and donations of goods and services for our silent auctions. We also hope that one day, if financial circumstances should improve, families who have received bursaries might consider cash donations to help future music students in need.

Please note: The CVMTA is not a registered charity; however, 100% of monies earned through fundraising events and donations go directly to our Awards and Bursaries account and are disbursed to music students in one of three forms:

1. Bursaries, 
2. Awards for excellence in Performance at the Cowichan Music Festival, and
3. the Judith McIvor Memorial Scholarship, awarded yearly to a graduating senior going on to study music. 

Please direct any questions or comments you may have to CVMTA President Ann Mendenhall annmend2014@outlook.com or 250-748-8196. Donations to the CVMTA bursaries fund may be made by Interac e-Transfer to: cvmta.bursaries.fund@mail.com. This is a direct deposit account.

Download the CVMTA Bursary Application here