TCDA Scholarships & Criteria

May 15, 2026
Applications CLOSE via the
TCDA website

Kathy Hackett Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to assist high school students graduating in this calendar year and who have applied and been accepted to a Texas college or university in music education.  Student applicants must be enrolled or soon to be enrolled in a Texas college or university. Must be a current senior from a Texas High School with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

All materials, except for recommendations can be uploaded on the submission site.  

Applicant Criteria:

1. Proof of current enrollment as a full-time freshman student at a Texas college or university in a study leading to a degree in Music Education and/or acceptance letter.
   
2. A current transcript of HS is required.
   
3.  A letter of application (typed) from the applicant listing his/her qualifications, listing any honors, activities or achievements and describing his/her professional goals and aspirations including current or future employment.
   
4. Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current TCDA member. Recommenders should submit via the TCDA scholarship recommendation form

James Edward (Jim) Matheny Scholarship

Student applicants must be enrolled or will soon be enrolled in a Texas college or university as a choral music education or vocal performance major. Must be a senior from a Texas High School.  Preference is given to seniors of Marshall HS, Marshall, TX or A&M Consolidated HS, College Station, TX with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The applicant must have at least two years of musical involvement including high school choir.  Qualified applicants are considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

All materials, except for recommendations can be uploaded on the submission site.  

Applicant Criteria:

1. A letter of application (typed or printed) that describes your qualifications; lists any honors, activities, or achievements; and describes your professional goals and aspirations including current or future employment.
   
2. Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current TCDA member. Recommenders should submit via the TCDA scholarship recommendation form.
   
3. A copy of your current transcript (high school) and resume.
   
4. Proof of acceptance/enrollment in the upcoming fall semester as a full-time student (12+ hrs) in an accredited Texas college or university with the intention of majoring in choral music education or vocal performance.

Professional Scholarship

Professional scholarship applicants must be Active Members of TCDA with three (3) continuous years of membership seeking assistance with higher education in a field related to choral music. Qualified programs include graduate degrees, certification-level workshops such as Kodály, Orff, etc, and other intensive workshops in choral music. In addition, recipients of a TCDA Professional Scholarship may be eligible to apply for the award again two convention years after the initial award is presented. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

All materials, except for recommendations can be uploaded on the submission site.  

Applicant Criteria:

1. A letter of application describing your qualifications, professional goals and a description of the higher education or workshop certification sought.
   
2. Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current TCDA member.  Recommenders should submit via the TCDA scholarship recommendation form.
   
3. Resume or Vitae
   
4. Proof of Acceptance or current Transcript

2027
Applications CLOSE via the
TCDA website

2027
Registration fees due from
choir participants