The Music Performance Trust Fund has announced the MPTF Music Family Scholarship.

OVERVIEW A scholarship fund utilizing the assets of the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (“MPTF”) and/or its related entity, the Music Performance Service Corp., was established in June 2020 to encourage the children of professional musicians to pursue higher education and to become leaders in their chosen fields. In the first year of such fund, the MPTF intends to grant $100,000 in scholarship funds.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the verification of all required information submitted by each candidate and the strength of each candidate’s essay.

REQUIREMENTS Applicants will complete, verify and submit an application that includes the following:

• Name of applicant, contact information.

• Name of high school attended, graduation date, and high school contact information.
• Name of parent belonging to a local musician’s union, contact information.
• Name of local musicians’ union officer, contact information.
• Personal essay of approximately 500-750 words.
• Applicant signature verifying the truth of all information submitted and authorizing the MPTF to use essays for any appropriate purpose related to the function of the MPTF or the music business agent in general.

MUSIC FAMILY ESSAYS How the experience of being a child of a professional musician shaped the applicant’s perspective? What have been challenges, inspirations, uniqueness of experience, lessons learned? This section will help applicants reveal their unique voice and enthusiasm, self-awareness, aptitude, and commitment for learning and growing. Essays will be judged by a committee consisting of members of the MPTF and other prominent music educators and performers as selected by the MPTF Trustee. Semi-finalists may be asked for additional supporting materials such as photographs, videos, etc. The MPTF reserves the right to utilize written applicant submissions and additional supporting materials for any appropriate purpose. If quotes or images are used, last names may be hidden to retain privacy.

TIMELINE The application deadline is 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at scholar@musicpf.org. Semi-finalists will be selected by September 1, and finalists announced on or about October 1. Recipients will be notified by email and letter.

ELIGIBILITY The child of any member in good standing of a local musician’s union, who is a high school graduate and is planning to attend a college, university, community college or trade school in the fall of 2020, is eligible to apply. The individual does not need to be studying for a music-related degree. Up to two young adults per family may apply, and up to five students from any one local union of the American Federation of Musicians may receive a scholarship; more will be wait-listed and awarded as able. Applications must verify high school completion and acceptance into a trade school, community college, 4-year college or university as a full-time student for the Fall 2020 semester, and an expressed intention to attend at that time.

AWARDS Up to$100,000 in funds will be awarded. Up to 25 individuals will receive $2,000, an engraved plaque and award certificate.Up to 100 individuals will receive $500 and an award certificate. Awards will be made out directly to the student.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact scholar@musicpf.org. To download an application visit www.musicpf.org.