Important information
Scholarship applications use Google Forms and will require a Google account to upload files.
It is recommended to type your answers in a separate document first, as it is not possible to save your work and return later.
View the sample application form to plan ahead.
The Hortense N. Reid-Kerr scholarship is awarded to a Music Education major of a racial or ethnic minority who is a resident of North Carolina attending a North Carolina college or university. Hortense N. Reid-Kerr was the first full-term President of NCMEA and the first minority president of NCMEA (1971-1973). Hortense Reid-Kerr taught at Howard University, an HBCU in Washington D.C. During her tenure at there, she developed several generations of music educators, and although it is not a requirement, students from HBCUs are encouraged to apply. The scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000.00 and will be paid in a lump sum to the recipient and the college or university at the beginning of the recipient’s senior year.
A completed scholarship application must be submitted online no later than 11:59pm on May 15. The scholarship winner will be recognized at the NCMEA Professional Development Conference in November.
Criteria and Application
The scholarship award will be based on the following:
- Applicants must be a Music Education major who is a resident of North Carolina attending a North Carolina college or university.
- Applicant must have maintained a 2.8 academic average on a 4.0 scale, or a 1.8 average on a 3.0 scale
- Musical talent
- Leadership
- Service to school and community
- Academic achievement
- Financial need
The Hortense N. Reid-Kerr Scholarship application shall consist of:
- List of musical activities in which applicant participated in high school
- List of musical activities during applicant’s college career including positions in ensembles, solo performances and offices held in music fraternities or CNAfME
- List of scholarships/grants received, or expect to receive, and other financial needs
- Essay describing reasons for entering the field of music education, and future goals
- Letter of recommendation
- Official college transcript
To all applicants:
Your Music Department Dean or Chair will need to write a letter of recommendation on school letterhead. This can be uploaded on the application form or emailed separately to NCMEA by the application deadline.
You are also required to have an official transcript sent to the NCMEA office by mail or electronically (see instructions on the application form).