• Open to all women-identifying composers and instrumentalists age 16-30 and vocalists age 18-30 (age as of January 15th, 2025)

• Must be able to provide proof of age.

• Must be able to prove residency or school attendance in one of the following states:  IL, IN, MI, WI, MN, IA.

• 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.

VOCAL and INSTRUMENTAL:

Early Bird Applications received by December 1st, 2024 at 11:59 PM: Application fee $75

Regular Applications received between December 2nd and January 1st, 2025 until 11:59PM: Application fee $100.

Late Applications will be accepted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2025 at 11:59PM and will be charged an additional $25 processing fee: Total Application fee: $125

Applications with Demonstration of Financial Need will pay an application fee of $50

COMPOSITION:

Early Bird Applications received by December 15th, 2024 until 11:59PM EST: Application fee $75

Regular Applications received by January 15th, 2024 at 11:59PM CST: Application fee 100$

Late applications will be accepted from January 16 to January 31st, 2025 at 11:59PM CST and will be charged an additional 25$ processing fee. Total Application fee: $125

Applications with Demonstration of Financial Need will pay an application fee of $50

Application fees are non-refundable.

Fees can be paid via Zelle/Chase QuickPay, using this email: scholarshipmcw@gmail.com

Or by check mailed to: Musicians Club of Women, P.O Box 507, Chicago, IL 60690.

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

• General application

• Repertoire list- including what is performed on the audition video, and what is to be performed in the live round. (Repertoire requirements and timing stipulated on respective competition pages.)

• Audition Video (for Vocal and Instrumental Competitions)

• Headshot*

• 250 word bio*

• Application fee

OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

• Demonstration of Financial Need

*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.

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

Requirements for Demonstration of Financial Need:

• A letter describing your need.

• If you are living at home with your family, include:

  • Number of dependents living at home

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

  • Include your parents’ or guardians’ most recent federal tax return(s) (only the first page, blackout all social security numbers)

• If you are self-supporting:

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

  • Include your most recent federal tax return ((only the first page, blackout all social security numbers)

Examples of additional supporting documents can include (but are 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. 

• Candidates should upload their videos as an unlisted YouTube Link, titled: [first name initial followed by complete last name-2025 MCW Vocal/Instrumental Competition]. The link should be entered into the application.

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

• Videos must meet timing limits and requirements as stipulated on the repertoire pages

• Works with piano accompaniments must be recorded with piano in the video (cuts to orchestral reduction tuttis are acceptable)

• Pieces must be recorded in one complete take. For those submitting multiple selections, please edit your videos together to make one submission link.

• Applicants will be asked on the application to disclose the date on which the recording was made, and the recording engineer used (if applicable.)

• In order to accurately reflect the applicant’s ability, videos should be made no earlier than one year prior to submission.

• Please use best practices for video recording: dress as you would for a performance, for instrumentalists, and make your video appear as if someone was watching you in a performance. Instrumentalists: Make sure your body/hands/instrument are clearly visible. Singers, make sure both you and your pianist are visible..

• Inability to prove residency status.

• Inability to provide proof of age.

• Has won an MCW award in the past in their intended division of competition.

• 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 the complete selection as required by repertoire guidelines.

• Performances that 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 that does not meet the requirements as stipulated on the competition pages respectively.

• Unpaid application fees

• Incomplete applications

Disqualification is entirely at the discretion of MCW. All determinations regarding disqualification are final and cannot be appealed.

• 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.

• 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 in advance of the in person finals

• The 2025 finals will be held at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago on Saturday March 1st (instrumental) and March 8th (vocal) respectively

• 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).

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

• All Judges’ decisions are FINAL