A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship

The A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship aims to provide scholarships for African American vocal students who are U.S. citizens and pursuing graduate-level study in vocal performance or music education with an emphasis on voice. Candidates must be committed to preserving the art form of Negro spiritual singing as exemplified by Roland Hayes, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and others. The primary purpose of this award is to perpetuate the singing of the Negro spiritual through performance and/or teaching, so that this art form, created by African American slaves in the Diaspora, will remain alive.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• 2.0 minimum GPA
• U.S. citizen
• African American
• Pursuing graduate-level studies in vocal performance or music education, wtih an emphasis on voice
• Committed to preserving the art of the Negro spiritual through performance and/or teaching
• Must be enrolled/enrolling full-time at an accredited public or private nonprofit educational institution

In addition to the application, applicants must submit the following:

• Your most recent transcript
• Two letters of recommendation from voice teachers or music professors attesting to your musical talent, moral character, and dedication to the survival of the Negro spiritual
• Two music programs reflecting at least a two-year span and including your performance of Negro spirituals
• Your financial aid award, including cost of attendance, scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans
• Video recording of a recent performance (concert or recital, YouTube links are accepted)
• 1 personal statement

We are aware of potential changes and delays happening with the 25-26 FAFSA, and the ripple effects they have on other financial aid information. We highly encourage applicants who have not yet received the required financial/financial aid information but otherwise have completed their application to submit as early as possible. We will work with you regarding deadlines for financial documents.

The guidelines for the personal statement are as follows:

A personal statement (500-750 words) in which you address the following:

• Your greatest strengths, accomplishments, or challenges you have overcome
• What inspired you to apply for the A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship
• What interests you about the Negro spiritual, and how you plan to pursue its preservation through your performance or teaching career
• Your field of interest, career goals, and why you are pursuing a degree in that field
• How you have served or plan to serve your community

Make sure to save your application as you go! You may save at any time by clicking the small gray "Save" button at the bottom of the page, and you may return to your application later by logging into your Smarter Select account and clicking “Edit Application.”