Nolan's Berklee Tracker

Cost Summary

Urgent and Upcoming Items (click to jump)

🎸 JEN Scholarships — Deadline April 15, 2026

One application at jazzednet.org/scholarships — work through these steps in order. JEN membership required before submitting anything.

STEP 1 — Join JEN (do this first)

Go to jazzednet.org/join-jen and sign up for yJEN — it's FREE for students under 18. Sign up as Nolan using his own email — not Adam's. Must be active before you can submit anything.

STEP 2 — Prepare 2 Performance Videos (Tony LeDonne $2,000)

Two contrasting jazz selections (standards or originals) — each video max 3 minutes
Contrasting = different feels — e.g. slow ballad + up-tempo swinger, or chord melody + bebop
Solo or ensemble — you just need to be clearly featured
Check your Berklee audition recordings first — they likely qualify
Upload to YouTube (unlisted OK) or have files ready to attach

STEP 3 — Write Your Personal Statement (Tony LeDonne $2,000)

"Describe your journey in jazz, artistic influences, and how you hope to contribute to the future of the music. What excites you!"

Aim for 300-500 words — personal, specific, genuine
Cover how you got into jazz guitar, who influenced you, and where you want to take it
Mention Berklee as the next step in that path

STEP 4 — Write the Financial Need Narrative (Deborah Landon $1,500 — no video needed)

"A narrative describing how receiving the Landon award along with other broad support enables the applicant to pursue their educational goals."

Explain the $57,817 funding gap and what it means for attending Berklee
Describe how this award, combined with other scholarships, makes it possible
Also need: FAFSA/EFC docs + Berklee acceptance letter (serves as LOI)

STEP 5 — Gather Supporting Materials (Tony LeDonne)

2 letters of recommendation — music teacher, private instructor, or ensemble director. Request these NOW.
Proof of acceptance — Berklee acceptance letter
Short bio — 200 words or less
Hi-res photo — 300dpi or better

What Each Scholarship Requires

Scholarship	Amount	Videos	Personal Statement	Financial Narrative	Rec Letters	Link
Tony LeDonne	$2,000	Yes (2)	Yes	—	2 required	Apply
David Baker (+ 4 auto-considered)	up to $7,000	—	—	—	—	Apply
Deborah Landon	$1,500	—	—	Yes + FAFSA	—	Apply

David Baker auto-considers: Yamaha Jim Widner ($1k) + Hal Leonard Collegiate ($1k) + Jamey Aebersold ($1k) + Dr. Lou Fischer ($1k). One application, up to $7,000 total possible.

🏆 NFMC Michael R. Edwards Graduating Senior Award — Deadline May 1, 2026

$5,000 for graduating high school seniors pursuing music. Any instrument qualifies — including guitar. 17 days away. Must join NFMC first.

STEP 1 — Join NFMC Junior Division (do this first)

Go to nfmc-music.org/membership or call (317) 882-4003 (Indiana-based office, 8AM–4:30PM). Get Junior Division individual membership. Cost is approximately $25–30. Must be active before applying. Note: NFMC headquarters is in Greenwood, IN — good local connection for an Indiana resident.

STEP 2 — Download Rules and Requirements

Visit nfmc-music.org — Michael R. Edwards Award page
Download the full Rules and Requirements document
$20 entry fee

STEP 3 — Submit Application by May 1

Must be a graduating high school senior pursuing a music major
Any performance instrument — guitar qualifies
Submit via the NFMC Apply portal by May 1, 2026
Questions: info@nfmc-music.org or (317) 882-4003

Future opportunity: NFMC Classical Guitar Award ($2,000) — age 19–25, deadline March 1 annually. Nolan can apply in his sophomore year at Berklee. Join NFMC Student/Collegiate Division when he enrolls.

🎺 Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition — Deadline April 20, 2026

$36,000 in awards for high school seniors and college freshmen. Instrumental first place is $10,000. Open to all instruments — guitar qualifies. Competition held in Clarinda, Iowa (June 11). 5 days away — apply now.

STEP 1 — Confirm Eligibility

Must be a current high school senior OR college freshman
Must intend to make music a future career focus
Must be able to travel to Clarinda, Iowa if selected as a finalist (June 10-12) — at own expense
Competition categories: Vocal and Instrumental — Nolan enters Instrumental

STEP 2 — Prepare Two Audition Recordings

Choose 2 contrasting selections of concert quality
Recommended styles: jazz, Great American Songbook, classical, Glenn Miller tunes (optional)
Upload to YouTube (unlisted OK) and copy the links, OR prepare .mp4/.mp3 files to attach
Professional dress and performance expected — treat this like a real audition
Name the songs you are submitting — have this ready for the application form

STEP 3 — Write Statement of Musical Intent

"Explain how music will become a central part of your future and why you have applied to the Glenn Miller Music Scholarship Competition."

Short and focused — explain your musical journey, career goals, and why this competition matters
Mention Berklee College of Music and your plans as a jazz guitarist

STEP 4 — Submit Application by April 20 at 5:00 PM

Apply online at glennmiller.org/scholarship
Include: contact info, parent/guardian info, song names, statement of intent, video links or files
Finalists notified April 30 — must confirm travel to Clarinda, Iowa for June 10-12
Questions: shari@glennmiller.org

Prize	Amount	Notes
1st Place Instrumental	$10,000	Top prize — compete in Clarinda, Iowa June 11
2nd Place Instrumental	$5,000
3rd Place Instrumental	$3,000

All finalists receive festival passes for the full weekend. The competition selects 10 instrumental semi-finalists nationally — highly competitive but worth submitting.

🎵 ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship — Deadline May 21, 2026

$10,000 over 4 years ($2,500/yr) for high school seniors aspiring to careers as songwriters, musicians, or vocalists. Founded by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller ("Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," "Stand By Me"). The song Nolan submits must be fully written by him — lyrics and music. 36 days away.

STEP 1 — Confirm Eligibility

Must be a high school senior OR recent graduate
Must plan to major in music at an accredited college or university
Must aspire to a career as a songwriter, musician, instrumentalist, or vocalist
Scholarship paid directly to school — Berklee qualifies

STEP 2 — Write an Original Song (Nolan must write this)

Lyrics must be fully written by Nolan — this is a core requirement per the tracker notes
The song can be performed by anyone, but Nolan must be the songwriter
Judged on music AND lyric writing, overall craftsmanship, and artistry
Any genre qualifies — original jazz composition with lyrics would be a strong fit
Record a performance of the original song to submit

STEP 3 — Apply by May 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Apply at ascapfoundation.org
Download and review the Official Rules and Regulations before applying
Submit original song (audio/video recording) + application materials
Scholarship sent directly to Berklee for tuition — $2,500/yr for 4 years ($10,000 total)

Note: This requires Nolan to be a songwriter. If he has written original material (lyrics + music), this is a strong fit. If he writes purely instrumental compositions, confirm whether the lyric requirement is mandatory before applying.

🎼 MPTF Music's Future Scholarship — Deadline May 31, 2026

$2,500 for music students pursuing degrees in performance, education, therapy, or conducting. 30 recipients selected nationally. Administered via grantinterface.com. Important flag: applicants must be enrolled in a qualifying music program — Nolan enrolls fall 2026, so confirm whether incoming freshmen are eligible before applying. 46 days away.

STEP 1 — Verify Eligibility (IMPORTANT)

Must be enrolled in: Music Performance, Music Therapy, Music Education, or Conducting
Must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA
Music Performance at Berklee qualifies — but confirm whether incoming fall 2026 freshmen are accepted
If "enrolled" means currently in classes, Nolan may need to apply after starting in September
Email nhepburnbeaty@musicpf.org to confirm incoming freshman eligibility before investing time in the application

STEP 2 — Prepare Application Materials

1 letter of reference — from a music teacher, instructor, or ensemble director
Resume — music experience, performances, bands, competitions
Transcript — high school diploma or unofficial transcript is fine
Personal essay — approximately 500-750 words responding to the current year's writing prompt
Essays are scored on originality — note that MPTF screens for over-reliance on AI writing tools
Headshot — required for the Music Family track; confirm if needed for Music's Future

STEP 3 — Submit via GrantInterface by May 31, 2026

Application portal: grantinterface.com — MPTF Scholar
30 recipients selected for the Music's Future track ($2,500 each)
Paid toward music degree — Berklee qualifies
Full details at musicpf.org/home/scholarships

$150,000 total awarded in 2026. Since 2020 MPTF has awarded 550+ scholarships worth over $700,000. Strong track record. Confirm freshman eligibility first, then apply.