CFA and the School of Music award several internal honors each year, coordinated with the Student Honors and Community Inclusion Committee. See below active competitions and awards, along with their deadlines and application requirements.
NEW THIS YEAR!
CFA is pleased to announce the Pamela Avedisian Fellowship. The Pamela Avedisian Fellowship is a $10,000 award given to a School of Music performance undergraduate senior. Two graduating seniors will be selected (the award is for $10,000 for each). Candidates must be graduating in May 2026.
The fellowship recognizes the musical growth students have made through their undergraduate education and their efforts to promote a culture of collaboration and community within the College of Fine Arts and/or the School of Music. The selection committee is looking for excellence in performance and musical expression, a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 overall GPA), and active participation within the College and School.
The Avedisian Fellowship Application is currently available. Please note the application consists of short answer questions, and resume submission that includes a link to at least 10 minutes of recorded music.
Applications, and all materials, are due February 2, 2026. Candidates will be notified by March 6, 2026. Funds will be distributed to winners by the last day of classes in Spring 2026.
BU AT CARNEGIE HALL COMPETITION (CLOSED)
Seniors and graduate students may be eligible to enter the School of Music’s 2025-26 BU at Carnegie Hall Competition!
The competition to perform in the “BU at Carnegie Hall” concert is open to BU School of Music Seniors (in their final two semesters of study) and Grad Students who are registered for lessons (both fall AND spring semesters 2025-26) AND enrolled in one of the following programs of study: BM, MM, PD, AD, or DMA in the Voice/OI, Keyboard (Pianists), String, or Brass/Wind/Percussion Depts.
Please be sure to download and read the 2025-26 BU at Carnegie Hall Rules and Guidelines here.
To apply, please use the official application form here.
Questions? Contact:
Prof. LaCourse at michevla@hotmail.com
SOLOISTS’ COMPETITION (CLOSED)
ELIGIBILITY:
- The Soloists’ Competition for Performance with Orchestra is open to School of Music students who are registered for lessons AND enrolled full-time in one of the following programs of study: BM, MM, DMA, PD, AD, OI during both the semesters of application and of the competition.
- Previous winners of the Soloists’ Competition are not eligible to enter while still enrolled in the same degree or diploma program.
- Contestants must present a substantial work. Repertoire may not be a transcription or an arrangement unless authorized by the conductor of the ensemble. Complete works must be presented. Participants must perform from memory for all rounds of the competition as well as the winner’s concert – no exceptions will be made. Each contestant must provide their own collaborative pianist for all rounds of the competition. BU faculty may not perform in any role with student competitors – no exceptions will be made. Please include as much information as possible on the repertoire form (i.e. composer, date, any opus numbers and keys).
ENTRY FORMS AND DEADLINES:
Part One (Application & Repertoire Approval):
- Students wishing to participate in the Competition must submit their proposed repertoire via the Soloists’ Competition Repertoire Approval Form by Friday, October 10, 2025, by 11:59 PM ET. Repertoire is subject to approval and confirmation. Approval will be sent to applicants by Friday, October 17, 2025.
- If a student’s initial repertoire request is not approved, the student has until Monday, October 20, 2025, by 12 PM ET to submit an Alternate Request. Repertoire submission is again subject to approval. Confirmation of alternate repertoire approval will be sent to applicants by Thursday, October 23, 2025.
- It is advisable for students to have a second choice at the ready in the event their initial repertoire is not approved.
Part Two (Competition):
- Timeline: Each department will hold its own preliminary round in October. Dates and times of the Preliminaries are due to the Chair of the Student Life and Honors Committee no later than September 30, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET.
- Finalists: From the Preliminary rounds, the Voice Department will select up to, and no more than, two vocalists, and the Keyboard Department will select up to, and no more than, two pianists for the competition Finals. The Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Department and the String Department may each advance up to three finalists, no more than two of whom may be from any one instrument/major. The lists of finalists from each Applied Department are due to the Chair of the Student Life and Honors Committee no later than November 3, 2025, by 11:59 PM ET.
- NO LATE/INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE STATED APPLICATION DEADLINE.
2025-26 SOLOISTS’ COMPETITION TIMELINE:
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025 – Dates and times of the Preliminary Round for each Applied Department are due to the Chair of the Student Life and Honors Committee.
- Friday, October 10, 2025– Preliminary Application and Repertoire Approval due (no later than 11:59 PM ET.)
- Friday, October 17, 2025 – Repertoire approval or request for resubmission will be sent.
- Monday, October 20, 2025 – Repertoire resubmission deadline (if requested)
- Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Confirmation of repertoire resubmission (if requested)
- Monday, November 3, 2025 11:59 ET – The lists of finalists from each Applied Department are due to the Chair of the Student Life and Honors Committee.
- Monday, November 10, 2025 – Competition at Tsai Center for the Performing Arts
Departmental Preliminary Rounds:
Strings: October 28, 6-10pm in Concert Hall
Keyboard: November 3, 6-10pm in Concert Hall
Brass/Percussion: November 2, 3pm in the Marshall Room
Woodwinds: October 29, 8:30pm in Marshall Room
Voice: October 28, 9:30-11am in Marshall Room
To apply, please use the form below:
Questions? Contact:
Minju Kim at mkim62@bu.edu
STRING DEPARTMENT BACH COMPETITION (CLOSED)
ELIGIBILITY:
●Open to B.U. String Department Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass Majors who are enrolled in one of the School of Music’s degree/diploma programs (BM, MM, DMA, Performance Diploma or Artist Diploma) AND are currently registered for lessons on their Major Instrument for credit.
● All entrants must be available for the entirety of the competition evening Tuesday February 18th 2025 (for scheduling purposes).
● All entrants must be available to potentially perform in the Winners’ Concert, Tuesday evening March 4th 2025, at 8:00 p.m. in the Concert Hall.
● Previous winners of the Grand Prize are not eligible to enter while still enrolled in the same degree or diploma program.
COMPETITION & CONCERT:
● The competition will take place on Tuesday, February 18th 2025, between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. in the Concert Hall, with faculty judges.
● There will be multiple winners chosen to perform in the Winners’ Concert.
● Some winners may be featured on the concert in selected movements of their entire piece. However, all entrants must be prepared with the full Sonata, Partita, or Suite.
● The Winners’ Concert will take place Tuesday, March 4th 2025, at 8:00 p.m. in the Concert Hall
REPERTOIRE:
One complete J. S. Bach (unaccompanied) Sonata, Partita, or Suite, from BWV 1001 through BWV 1012
MEMORIZATION REQUIRED:
All competition entrants and all performers in the Winners’ Concert must perform from memory. No exceptions.
ENTRY FORMS & DEADLINE:
● Students wishing to participate in the Bach Competition must submit the entry form electronically by Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, by no later than 11:59 pm ET, using the online application found on the BU CFA website: https://www.bu.edu/cfa/students/music/competitions-awards/
● Each entrant must obtain a brief note of approval to enter the competition from their applied teacher, to be scanned and sent electronically along with the Entry form by the application deadline.
● Please plan ahead to allow for time needed to obtain and scan teacher approval well before the deadline. NO LATE/INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE STATED DEADLINE.
To apply, please fill out the online form.
Questions? Contact:
Prof. LaCourse at michevla@hotmail.com
CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION (OPEN)
ELIGIBILITY
ALL members in your group must meet the following requirements in order to participate:
● The competition is open to BU School of Music students who are currently enrolled in one of the following programs of study: BM, MM, PD, AD, or DMA in the Voice/OI, Keyboard, String, or Brass/Wind/Percussion departments. All participating students must also be registered for lessons for credit.
Students meeting the above eligibility requirements must be available to perform on the following:
● (All-School) Prelims for Chamber Competition — Thurs, February 5, 6-10 pm, Concert Hall
● Chamber Competition Finals (with outside adjudicators)— Mon, February 23, 6:00 Concert Hall
● Chamber Competition Winners’ Concert — Thurs, March 19, 8:00 Concert Hall
Students may participate in ONE group only. Groups need to be a minimum of 3 performers, maximum of 8. (Harpsichord will be allowed for keyboard.)
Groups need to have been coached by SOM Applied faculty. All members should have been enrolled in chamber music for credit prior to participating in the competition.
The application form MUST be signed by one SOM faculty member attesting to the group having attained the necessary level of competence and approving the choice of appropriate repertoire. All groups must submit a note of approval by said faculty in the online application form.
Groups cannot change member(s) between application and preliminaries without permission. Member change will only be permitted in case-by-case exceptions. Any change in member(s) must be approved by the main faculty member who has coached the group, and that faculty member must hear and approve the group member change prior to the preliminary.
REPERTOIRE AND TIME LIMIT
Preliminary Round
● 15 minutes minimum of one (1) chamber music work. Group must prepare the entire work (all movements) and may choose a piece that is a single-movement or multiple-movement work, or even two full pieces in order to meet the minimum time requirement. The group must have the work(s) in its entirety prepared to play, and the selection and duration of performance of each movement will be at the discretion of judges.
● 3 minutes maximum timing for ALL entries FOR SET-UP, INCLUDING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR INSTRUMENTS AND FOR REMOVING THE SAME FROM THE STAGE AREA AFTER A GROUP’S PERFORMANCE
● Students interested in participating are strongly encouraged to consult with their teacher, coach, and/or Applied Department Chair to assess the feasibility and suitability of their chosen
repertoire.
Final Round
● 15 minutes minimum of one (1) chamber music work. Group must be ready to perform all movements from the chosen repertoire. If performing multiple movements, selection and
duration of performance of each movement will be at the discretion of judges.
● 3 minutes maximum timing for ALL entries FOR SET-UP, INCLUDING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR INSTRUMENTS AND FOR REMOVING THE SAME FROM THE STAGE AREA AFTER A GROUP’S PERFORMANCE
Winner’s Performance Repertoire
● The winning groups must perform the ENTIRE work including all movements.
WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE
● Prize Winners’ Performance will be held on Mar. 19, 2026 at 8 pm in the Concert Hall.
● The winning groups must perform the ENTIRE work including all movements. Program order will be: 3rd Prize Winner, 2nd Prize Winner, intermission, and then First Prize Winner.
● There will be no monetary prizes for the winners.
ENTRY FORMS AND DEADLINE
● Students wishing to participate in the Competition must submit the entry form electronically by Monday, January 26, 2026, no later than 11:59 pm, using the application form which can be
completed on the CFA website.
● Each group entering must obtain a brief Note of Approval to Enter from their chamber music Applied Coach. The faculty approving each group’s entry must email the note of approval to
mkim62@bu.edu.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
● Winning groups will be announced by Feb. 27, 2026 no later than 11:59 pm.
Application form here via Google form.
EVENT
(All-School) Prelims for Chamber Competition — Thurs, February 5, 6-10 pm, Concert Hall
Chamber Competition Finals (with outside adjudicators)— Mon, February 23, 6:00 Concert Hall
Chamber Competition Winners’ Concert — Thurs, March 19, 8:00 Concert Hall
JUDGING PANEL
Judges for the preliminary round will be BU SOM applied faculty from multiple departments. The final round will be judged by outside adjudicators.
Questions? Contact:
Prof. Minju Kim at mkim62@bu.edu
FOOTE AWARD COMPETITION (CLOSED)
The deadline for this year’s Arthur W. Foote Award is quickly approaching on November 11 (submit by 11:50pm), and we invite you to nominate outstanding students or chamber ensembles from the School of Music for this distinguished opportunity.
The Harvard Musical Association, which has no connection with Harvard University, was founded in 1837 by a group of individuals interested in performing, listening to, and supporting classical music in Boston and beyond. Each year the Association presents the Arthur W. Foote Award to an instrumental or vocal soloist or chamber ensemble enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a major Northeast conservatory or university music department. The awardee(s) must demonstrate exemplary musical skills and be on the verge of a notable career. In addition to the recognition that the award carries, the recipient(s) receives a $7,500 honorarium and is presented in a recital at the Harvard Musical Association as part of its regular concert season. Appropriate travel expenses and the cost of a collaborative musician, if needed, will be covered in addition to the honorarium. A more detailed description of the award can be found at https://hmaboston.org/awards/.
The Foote Award Committee kindly requests the nomination from your distinguished institution of one or two individuals or chamber ensembles for its consideration. The Award Committee is representative of the Association at large, which includes educated audience members, as well as amateur and professional musicians. Applicants must be enrolled as students for the academic year 2025-2026 at the time of the application.
The recipient(s) will receive a $7,500 honorarium, be presented in a recital at the Harvard Musical Association as part of its concert season, and receive coverage for travel, lodging, and up to $750 toward a collaborative musician, if needed.
Applicants must be enrolled for the 2025–2026 academic year. Each institution may nominate one or two individuals or chamber ensembles. The application should include:
- Completed application form (available at hmaboston.org/awards)
- Links to performance videos (varied, live, and unedited performances are encouraged)
- Letter of recommendation from the nominator (faculty) or appropriate institutional figure
- CV (and optional additional letters of support)
The Foote Award concert will take place in April 2026 (exact date TBD) at the Harvard Musical Association in Boston.
If you plan to nominate a student, please have the applicant submit all application materials as soon as possible to Minju Kim mkim62@bu.edu (cc Karin Hendricks, khen@bu.edu) so we can complete the institutional nomination by the deadline.
Thank you for helping us recognize and support the achievements of our students through this exceptional opportunity.
We hope that you and your students will find this a worthy opportunity, as our membership is always enthusiastic about the Award performances. Please email Minju Kim for any questions.
Clare Hodgson Meeker Endowed Fellowship (OPEN)
The Clare Hodgson Meeker Fellowships were established in 2019 with a generous commitment from Clare Hodgson Meeker (CFA ’75) to provide financial support for travel opportunities that will contribute to transformative experiences for School of Music students. The Clare Hodgson Meeker Fellowships will encourage students to think aspirationally, support studies outside of Boston, and foster a culture of creativity outside the curriculum within the School of Music.
This year, fellowships of up to $2000.00 will be considered by the Student Life and Honors Committee. Applicants must provide a letter of endorsement from a SoM Faculty member and a personal statement with their application. Notifications will go out in April 2025. Recipients will be expected to submit a thank you note to Clare Meeker. Thank you notes should be sent to rdebrot@bu.edu no later than September 15, 2025.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 28, 2025. No applications will be considered after the deadline.
*Graduating seniors are not eligible.
To apply, please fill out the application form below. The Clare Hodgson Meeker Fellowships were established in 2019 with a generous commitment from Clare Hodgson Meeker (CFA ’75) to provide financial support for travel opportunities that will contribute to transformative experiences for School of Music students. The Clare Hodgson Meeker Fellowships will encourage students to think aspirationally, support studies outside of Boston, and foster a culture of creativity outside the curriculum within the School of Music.
No applications will be considered after the deadline. School of Music plans to open the 2025-2026 Meeker Fellowship form towards the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Please check back then!
Questions? Contact Ruth Debrot at rdebrot@bu.edu.
Questions? Contact Ruth Debrot.
Graduate Student Travel Fund Assistance Application (OPEN)
The purpose of this fund is to provide School of Music graduate students with the opportunity to participate in competitions, conferences, and engage in off-campus directed research, through the partial coverage of associated costs. Funds are limited and will be awarded by vote of the Student Life and Honors Committee. Reimbursements per individual will not exceed $500.00.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 28, 2025. Students may apply for retroactive funding for activities that occurred between now and the application deadline. NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Students will be notified of funding via e-mail.
- Examples of Supported Trips: Presentation of a paper, composition, or ensemble performance at a conference; Solo or Chamber Music competition (Coleman, Fischoff, etc.); Off-campus directed research (i.e., fieldwork, document consultation, etc.); Active participation in festivals.
- Examples of Non-Supported Trips: Non-presenting attendance at a conference; Auditions of any kind.
To apply, please fill out the official application form here.
Questions? Contact Peter Zazofsky at zazofsky@bu.edu
COMPOSITION COMPETITION FOR PERFORMANCE WITH ORCHESTRA (OPEN)
The Composition Competition for Performance with Orchestra is open to all full time School of Music students majoring in Composition. Students who have had a work performed previously by the Boston University Symphony or Chamber Orchestra as part of this competition are not eligible to apply. The piece submitted for consideration must have been composed at Boston University and pieces that have had only a reading/recording session with the orchestra are eligible to be considered.
Students wishing to participate in the Competition must submit a composition for orchestra to the School of Music Curriculum Library by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Before applying, please read and review 2026 BU Composition Competition Guidelines here.
Questions? Contact Martin Amlin.
Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Career Entry Award (OPEN)
The 2026 Esther B and Albert S Kahn Career Fund for the Arts Application was established to provide funds to assist talented students who complete undergraduate or graduate programs at Boston University College of Fine Arts at the beginning of their careers. Boston University College of Fine Arts undergraduate or graduate students in the performing and visual arts completing their last semester of study prior to graduation (and not continuing in other programs of study) are eligible to compete for the Kahn Career Entry Award.
It was the intention of the donor, Mrs. Esther Kahn, to award one-year grants. Six final candidates (one graduate student and one undergraduate student per school) will be chosen and will each receive $5,000. The final award winner will be chosen from the final candidate pool and will receive an additional $15,000 for a total of $20,000. Please note: these awards may be subject to taxation.
The awards are based on a combination of talent, artistic accomplishments, and strength of application and presentation.
Please note the submission deadline of Friday, February 27 on the application.
To apply, please read the application info here.
Boston University Richmond Piano Competition (CLOSED)
Founded and endowed by Aaron Richmond, a Boston philanthropist and music manager of the early 20th century, the Richmond Piano Competition is a rarity amongst American music schools. It offers a First Prize of $10,000 along with a Boston debut recital, and a Second Prize of $5,000. Past winners have gone on to notable careers as performers and teachers.
Currently enrolled piano performance majors at Boston University’s School of Music are eligible to compete; past winners may not enter the competition again. The competition requires a full recital program including a Fixed Piece assigned one month in advance.
Guidelines can be viewed HERE.
Application and Declaration of Intent may be accessed HERE. Download the Declaration of Intent to complete the repertoire and timings, and email as an attachment to Prof. Kibbe.
Applications are DUE no later than 5 pm Monday, February 24, 2025.
Questions? Contact Shiela Kibbe
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (OPEN)
UROP connects BU undergraduate students with funded, faculty-mentored research projects. The program is flexible, allowing research study in any academic area university-wide, for any full-time undergraduate student at BU. Projects may be undertaken at either the Charles River or Medical Campus, on a volunteer basis, for a stipend, or for academic credit. UROP project guidelines encompass a wide range of scientific or scholarly topics that lead to:
- Production of new knowledge
- Increased problem-solving capabilities (including research project design/analysis)
- Original critical or historical theory and interpretation
Read about recent CFA winners of arts research awards here and how to get started here.
Questions?
Questions pertaining to any of these honors should go to the Chair of the Student Life and Honors Committee, Minju Kim.