Financial Assistance

 

In order to be considered for financial assistance, you must submit a financial assistance application form [PDF] and supporting documentation with your other required application material.

Financial assistance awards from the Festival’s endowment or special grant funds are determined on the basis of merit and documented need. All recipients of financial assistance will be required to assist with the operations of the Festival, with the amount of responsibility proportional to the size of the award. Financial assistance recipients may be chosen to participate in the Festival orchestra (there are usually 2 orchestral concerts each season) and Community Concerts as part of their required assistance.

Awards may be appealed in writing. Please send an email to jen@bowdoinfestival.org or a letter to Jen Means at the regular Festival address. Appeals may take several weeks to process.

The Bowdoin Virtuosi, Performing Associate and Resident Assistant positions present additional opportunities for financial assistance. A limited number of qualified applicants will be selected for these positions.

The Performing Associate Fellowship

The Performing Associate fellowship combines solo and chamber study with valuable performing and teaching experience. Performing Associates (PA's) are selected by the artist instructors to act as their assistants. PA's may be required to perform with artist instructors and fellow Festival participants in one or more of our seven concert series. Successful candidates must be extremely strong players and be willing to take on teaching and performing responsibilities as needed. They receive substantial financial support from the Festival. Though this support does not include housing and meal plan costs, PA applicants may apply for additional financial assistance to help cover these costs. Applicants who want to be considered for a Performing Associate fellowship must include a letter of interest and resume that demonstrates related leadership experience. Along with this letter, please send the financial assistance application form with supporting documentation and other required application material.

Resident Assistant

The Resident Assistant position provides full housing and meal plan support for six weeks to a limited number of qualified students. Resident Assistants (RA's) act as supervisors in the Residence Halls and Apartments. They are on call 24 hours a day on a rotating basis to ensure that all curfew, alcohol, noise, party, and emergency procedure policies are enforced. Additionally, RA's are required to attend concerts, hold weekly hall meetings, organize social events and outings, and assist with participant check-in and check-out. Selected RA's must arrive two days early and stay for the full six weeks. RA candidates should be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license. Successful candidates must also have strong communication, problem solving, supervisory, and mediation skills as well as experience supervising students. Applicants who want to be considered for the RA position must include a letter of interest and resume that demonstrates related leadership experience. Along with this letter, please send the financial assistance application form with supporting documentation and other required application material.

Named Awards (All financial assistance applicants will be considered for these honors.)

Grant-funded awards for 2010

Irving Caesar Trust – support for up to three participants.
John and Joan D'Addario Foundation Award – support for one participant in guitar.
Sphinx Competition Award – support for one Sphinx Competition semifinalist.
Sam L. Cohen Foundation – support for two participants residing in Maine.
Simmons Foundation – support for one participant residing in Maine.
ASCAP Foundation Young Composer Fellowship – support for one participant in composition.

Endowed Funds

Dr. Louis Bachrach Award – support for one or more participants in strings.
Award In Memory of John M. Dunlap, Jr. – support one participant from Maine or New England.
Award In Memory of David and Celia Kaplan – support for one or more violinists.
Adele Moskovitz Award – support for one or more participants in strings.
Hugh and Norma Phelps Award – support for one or more participants.
Howard and Sarah Solomon Award – support for one or more participants.
Marcia Speinson Trust Awards – support for two or more participants.
Robert A. Watson, Jr. Awards – support for two or more participants in piano.

Other Funds

Paul J. Lynskey Piano Scholarship – support for one participant in piano (See our Fall 2009 newsletter article A Local Patron's Legacy to read about this scholarship)
Dr. Louis Bachrach Scholarship – support for one participant in violin (See our Spring 2010 newsletter article Emeritus Trustee Remembered to read about this scholarship).
Michael Rabin Travel Fund – travel funding for one participant from abroad.

Special Announcement

New for 2010 - the Bowdoin Virtuosi program, providing full fee support for selected applicants.