Scholarship
Belle Melodie Scholarship (Merit-based)
Effective September 1, 2025
Who: Students under 18. • Paid as: Tuition credits only (non-cash, non-transferable).
Redemption cap: Up to $50 per month per student account (credits remain on account until used; forfeited if enrollment pauses/ends).
Payout schedule — applies to all three scholarship types
Jan–Jun: posted Sep–Oct
Jul–Dec: posted Feb–Mar
1) Perfect Attendance — $50/term; $100 multi-class
Spring (Jan–May) · Fall (Aug–Dec).
$50 if enrolled in one class; $100 if 2+ concurrent enrollments, with all absences fully made up by term end or within 30 days. One award per student per term.
2) Exam Honors — $25 / $50
ABRSM/MTAC/RCM results on/after Sep 1, 2025. Merit $25; Distinction $50.
Eligibility: For that exam cycle, student takes all exam-related lessons at Belle Melodie and is registered by the school (self-registered or concurrent outside instruction = ineligible).
3) Competition Awards — $50–$200 (finals only, I/II or Gold/Silver, National/International includes III/Bronze)
City/County $50/$25 · State $100/$50 · National/International $200/$100/$50. Ensembles split equally (Rounded to $5 increments).
Eligibility: Student takes all prep lessons at Belle Melodie and is registered by the school when allowed; if only individual entries, list Belle Melodie/teacher and obtain teacher pre-approval.
Claims: Upload (sending to apply@bellemelodie.com) proof within 30 days of results/awards (attendance is auto-verified).
School discretion: Belle Melodie verifies eligibility and has final discretion.
The Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego (Merit-based)
Since 1946, the Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego has held a yearly competition for instrumentalists and vocalists. Competition winners have demonstrated extraordinary education, prodigious talent and skill. Many are currently studying in prestigious universities and conservatories or performing professionally in symphonies and opera companies throughout the world.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
2026 AGE REQUIREMENTS
Instrumentalists: All applicants must have reached age 16 or be a graduating high school senior, and not have reached age 26 on the date of the Final Audition, Saturday, May 23.
Vocalists: All applicants must have reached age 18 or be a graduating high school senior, and not have reached age 32 on the date of the Final Audition, Saturday, May 23.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
First Time Applicants: An applicant who is participating in the Preliminary Auditions must be a resident of San Diego County, Imperial County, or Baja California for a minimum of one year at the time of the Preliminary Auditions - OR - have been a full-time registered student (12 semester units) in a college or university in the above geographic area since the preceding September. Proof of full-time registration must be provided with the application.
Returning Applicants Who Did Not Pass Beyond Preliminaries:
Audition: A returning applicant who is again participating in the Preliminary Auditions must be a resident of San Diego County, Imperial County, or Baja California for a minimum of one year at the time of the Preliminary Auditions - OR - have been a full-time registered student (12 semester units) in a college or university in the above geographic area since the preceding September. Proof of full-time registration must be provided with the application.
Semi-Finalists From Previous Years:
Residency requirements do not apply to participants who have previously competed in the Semi-Final Auditions.
2026 AUDITION RULES FOR APPLICANTS
Accompanist
You must provide your own accompanist, if needed.
Repertoire
Audition repertoire should be from the appropriate, standard established repertoire. Please consult the Repertoire Requirements at musicalmerit.org. For the preliminary rounds, the full repertoire must be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Each piece may be individually recorded. Unlisted links must be submitted by April 15. The preliminary judges will listen to 20 minutes of each applicant's recordings of the judges' choice.
Applicants should be prepared to perform any of the required repertoire program at each round of the auditions. Applicants will select their first piece and judges will select from the remaining repertoire. No changes to repertoire will be accepted after the preliminary round.
Original Scores
Applicants must bring original scores and/or legally authorized PDFs of all music to be performed for the use of the judges at each level of the competition. If you perform something that is no longer in print, you must provide acknowledgement from the publisher stating this fact.
Semi-Final Round - Friday, May 22
Performers selected from the preliminary round and their accompanists will audition for the semi-final judges in their category. Selected performers will be notified by May 1. Eligible returning semi-finalists are invited to the Semi-Final round and can apply by April 15 at https://musicalmerit.wildapricot.org/auditions.
Final Round - Saturday, May 23
Performers selected for the Final Round and their accompanists will audition for all Finals Judges. All Finalists return following the completion of auditions for the Reception for Finalists and Judges.
Awards Concert and Scholarship Presentation - Sunday, May 24 @ 3pm
Finalists will perform a selection from their repertoire followed by the Awards Presentation and Reception.