• Open to all women-identifying composers and instrumentalists age 16-30 and vocalists age 18-30 (age as of date of application deadline).

• Must be able to provide proof of age (as of application deadline).

• Must be able to prove residency or school attendance (by providing home or school address with proof of registration) in one of the following states:  IL, IN, MI, WI, MN, IA (as of date of application deadline).

• Past MCW award winners are ineligible to compete for an award they’ve already received but can compete for a different award if otherwise eligible (e.g., a 2023 Harvey Award winner cannot receive a 2024 Harvey Award, but may receive a 2024 Nerenberg Award).

• You do not need to be a US citizen to apply; however, all applicants must have a United States Social Security Number. All awards are subject to US taxation; winners who are US citizens or resident aliens will be asked to complete a W-9. Non-resident aliens and others who are not US citizens may still acquire a SSN; please review https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf for more information about how to apply. Please anticipate that this process may take up to 2 months.

• The deadline for instrumental and vocal applications is midnight, January 14, 2024 Central Standard Time (CST). Composition deadline is midnight, February 12, 2024 CST.

Eligible candidates will be asked to submit the following to participate in the competition:

• General application (including list of repertoire performed on video)

• Audition video (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop;) details outlined below)

• Headshot*

• 250 word bio*

OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

• Demonstration of Financial Need

Application fee:

• $100

• $50 for those also submitting demonstration of financial need

Application fees are non-refundable.

Fee can be paid via Zelle/Chase QuickPay, using this link:  scholarshipmcw@gmail.com Otherwise check mailed to Musicians Club of Women, P.O Box 507, Chicago, IL 60690.

This money helps defray the cost of marketing and hosting the competition, as well as carries out MCW’s larger mission to support women in music. MCW is a non-profit organization run by a board of volunteers, and your support ensures the longevity of their efforts

*to be used for announcement of winners

Farwell Awards are granted first and foremost based on merit, but are available only to women-identifying persons who have appropriately demonstrated need on their application. The expense of a career in music is significant, and MCW recognizes this burden affects women from a wide margin of income brackets; therefore we encourage everyone to submit said demonstration, which will expand your chances of winning an award.

Those women who wish to be eligible for a Farwell Award will be required to submit a demonstration of financial need within the application, consisting of a brief statement and various documentation options. 

Demonstration of Financial Need is NOT required to apply for awards, but is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Documents submitted will be kept confidential from the judges. They will be made available only to those board/committee members who are responsible for the distribution of Farwell Awards.

Requirements for Demonstration of Financial Need:

• Include a letter describing your need. Include such information as:

• If you are living at home with your family, please answer the following:

  • Number of dependents living at home, NOT including parents, heads of house, or full-time college students.

  • Number of dependents who are full-time college students.

• If you are self-supporting:

  • Describe if you have experienced any extenuating circumstances such as illness, loss of income.

Examples of documents can include (but not limited to):

• A PDF of the document(s) from your current school's financial aid office showing the need-based financial aid provided to you this year. 

You must include your parents' or guardians' most recent federal tax return(s) (if you are their dependent); your most recent federal tax return (if you are self-supporting).  The FIRST PAGE only is needed; be sure to black out all Social Security numbers.

• Candidates must embed a link for an unlisted YouTube video in their application, titled: [first name initial followed by complete last name-2024 MCW Vocal/Instrumental Competition].

• Tips for uploading a video to YouTube can be found here.

• Videos must be a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 12 minutes total in length, and should contain selections from your audition repertoire, including one work performed in its entirety, and with accompaniment as applicable (orchestral reductions with cuts, etc, are acceptable).

• Each selection must be recorded in one take. Full takes may be edited together for final video submission.

• Video submission must be uploaded as one video link, instead of separate links for each selection. 

• Videos may be recorded on any device available to the applicant (including cell phones, camcorders, computers/tablets, with or without external mics, etc.). Applicants will be asked on the application to disclose the technology used to make their recording. 

• Applicants are not required to hire a recording professional. Applicants will be asked on the application to identify any recording engineers, etc, employed for the purpose of making the video. We reserve the right to contact the engineer for verification that recordings have not been edited.

• In order to reflect accurately the applicant’s ability, videos should be made no earlier than January 1, 2023.

Best practices for making an audition video:

• Remember that video is a visual medium, and consider factors like lighting, clothing, venue, etc, to best represent yourself.

• Record in a location with a neutral background; avoid institutional logos or spaces with an excess of personal effects.

• Make sure that the camera angle is such that every aspect of your operating on your instrument is within view (both hands, whole torso, bows, pedals, etc).

• Conversely, make sure not to place the camera too far away to see you clearly.

• Judges will make every reasonable effort not to discriminate based on visual factors of the video. However, deportment and “stage presence” are key elements of a performer’s craft; take this opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism.

• Unable to prove residency status.

• Unable to provide proof of age.

• Has won an MCW award in the past in their intended division of competition (Farwell winners, for example, are still eligible to compete for either Harvey, Newfield, or Nerenberg awards).

• Videos that appear to have been edited within the performance of any musical selection (including audio recorded separately and superimposed onto video).

• Videos that appear not to match the identity of the applicant.

• Videos in which memorization requirements appear not to be met (i.e., evidence to suggest a candidate is reading music outside of camera view).

• Videos that do not include at least one complete work, are under 10 or over 12 minutes in length, do not contain selections that fulfill repertoire criteria, or lack the accompaniment required by the repertoire.

• “No-call no-show”s, or candidates who are late for their time slot, at the final in-person round.

• Repertoire lists which do not meet criteria.

MCW's determination regarding a candidate's disqualification is final and cannot be appealed.

Disqualification is entirely at the discretion of MCW.

Application fees are non-refundable.

• All videos will adjudicated by 3 judges; no more than 1 current member of MCW may serve on the panel; no judges may serve who have students competing.

• Judges will make every possible effort not to discriminate based on recording quality, nor will they discriminate against any visible non-musical factors (race, physique, video locale, etc). 

• 12 applicants from each division will be invited to participate in the final, in-person round.

• Those applicants who are chosen to advance to the finals will be notified well in advance of the in person finals (March 2 for instrumentalists, March 9 for singers).

• Finals are held at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

• In-person auditions are not blind, and are adjudicated by 3 judges meeting the same criteria as above.

• Judges will not have access to applicant bios or demonstrations of need.

• For the final round, judges will complete a rubric which may be made available to candidates after the competition, upon request.

• Judges reserve the right to withhold awards if no deserving candidate is identified (with the exception of the Harvey awards).

• Judges’ decision is final.

• Results announced mid-March with winners notified via email.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge and agree that if you are selected as a winner, you

• (i) authorize MCW and any person approved by MCW to photograph, film, tape, digitally record, or otherwise create audio and video recordings of you in connection with your application or your participation at events hosted or sponsored by MCW (the “Recordings”) and to use and distribute the Recordings, as well as your name, likeness, bio, and any photographs, videos, digital media, information or other materials you provide to MCW in connection with your application, in each case, in any manner or media and for any purpose relating to MCW (including, without limitation, use in MCW online and print publications, on MCW’s website, and in social media, and use for outreach, promotional, fundraising, or other purposes of any kind); -

• (ii) release MCW and any person approved by MCW from all liability in connection with the foregoing activities; and

• (iii) are not entitled to compensation for the permissions and releases granted hereby (other than the amount of any award granted to you in connection with your application).

• Award Winners receive two years of membership in MCW.

• As a condition of their award, winners are required to perform for MCW during one of their luncheons within the following three seasons (based on scheduling) without remuneration.

  • This is not a full length recital, but rather a 15 to 20 minute showcase of arias and art songs for vocalists and for instrumentalists, solo concert works. 

  • MCW can offer you a collaborative pianist and will pay for his/her performance.  (This payment does not include any rehearsals.) 

  • Please pick repertoire you are very familiar with, that demonstrates your strengths and you truly enjoy.  Should you include pieces composed by a woman, this is highly encouraged but not required.   It is expected that you speak a little about yourself and the selection of music you have chosen.

  • Afterwards, you will join the members of MCW for a catered lunch as the club’s guest. 

  • If overnight stay is needed, MCW will make its best efforts to connect you with an MCW member living in Chicago for lodging in their home.

• No travel or other expenses will be covered by MCW.