Women Band Directors International Scholarships
WBDI scholarships are given annually to women enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate instrumental music program, with the intent of becoming a band director. The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2026
WEBSITE: www.womenbanddirectors.org/scholarships
IAWM Pauline Alderman Awards
The International Alliance for Women in Music grants the Pauline Alderman Awards every two years, for outstanding scholarship on women in music in three categories: a book-length monograph about women in music, in any academic format; a journal article or essay dealing with an aspect of women in music; and a bibliographic study, research tool, or reference work about women in music.
The grants are open to any individual or organization with current membership of IAWM.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 15, 2026
WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/4dTDDau
NATS Art Song Competition Award
The National Association of Teachers of Singing celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and auditions designed to showcase the talented singers, performers and composers who are the rising stars in the profession. The purpose of the Art Song Competition Award is “to stimulate the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer.”
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $45 professional/$30 student
WEBSITE: www.nats.org/art-song-composition.html
American String Teachers Association National Conference
ASTA’s annual National Conference is the premiere gathering of string educators in the United States, offering opportunities to connect with the community of educators, earn professional development hours in sessions tailored to string teachers of all types, attend engaging keynotes from leaders in the field, attend performances and clinics of the National Orchestra Festival, and network with industry manufacturers, insurance providers, publishers, institutions, and other exhibitors. This year’s theme is “Orchestrating Opportunity: Teaching that Inspires.”
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
CONFERENCE DATES: February 24–27, 2027
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 20, 2026
WEBSITE: www.astastrings.org/site/2027-national-conference
Margaret Blackburn Biennial Composition Competition
A $1000 grand prize will be awarded to the female student composer who submits the winning musical composition in the 2027 Biennial Blackburn Memorial Composition Competition. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college, university or graduate
music program for the 2026–27 academic year. Compositions should be for a small ensemble of no less than two instruments, which may include voice, and no more than twelve instruments including voice. Works for instruments and electronic sounds, digital media, CD, interactive compositions or works for electronic sounds alone can be included. No published scores will be accepted. The 2027 deadline for submissions is April 30, 2027. An entry fee of $35 (USD) is required. Membership in Sigma Alpha Iota is not required. Only one submission per person is allowed.
DEADLINE: April 30, 2027
WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/blackburncomp
CONTACT:
International Women’s Brass Conference
The International Women’s Brass Conference is a time to celebrate music and build a community in support of women and gender-marginalized brass musicians. The Conference will bring together everything you love about an IWBC from the inclusive atmosphere, incredible performances, enriching presentations, and competitions for all with new and exciting events highlighting the talent of rising student stars in the brass world and celebrating the rich history of musicianship in this area of the country.
LOCATION: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
CONFERENCE DATES: June 9–12, 2027
WEBSITE: https://conference.myiwbc.org
Women Band Directors International Scholarships
WBDI scholarships are given annually to women enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate instrumental music program, with the intent of becoming a band director. The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors.
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: September 1–November 1, 2026
WEBSITE: www.womenbanddirectors.org/scholarships
Musical America Jobs Center
A regularly updated catalog of job opportunities in the fields of music and the arts.
Music House Museum Invitation from Dorothy Clore
As a follow-up to Jayne Hanlin's comprehensive article about the Music House Museum in Acme, MI, in the Winter 2022 issue of PAN PIPES, as Board President of that organization I'm extending an open invitation to SAI members and groups to visit and tour, either individually or with others. As of May 1 we are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10-4, with our last tour beginning about 2:30. Our venue is available for chapter events, private parties, etc.
Contact: Call (231) 938-9300 or contact our tour/events staff member, Becky Gagnon at:
If you are planning to visit, contact me as well (
Website: www.musichouse.org
Maud Powell Society
The MPS has announced that the four-volume Maud Powell Favorites collection of Violin transcriptions, Brahms Concerto Cadenza, Music Analyses and Editions, and Music Dedicated to, Commissioned by or Associated with violinist Maud Powell is available to all SAI chapters, school libraries, and string teachers at a discounted price of $95.
Website: maudpowell.org
The Music Teachers National Association
The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers numerous composition, performance, and chamber music competitions, with age requirements ranging from elementary school through adult. Entrants must study with a MTNA member teacher or pay a non-member fee, as well as be a US citizen or hold a US Visa or resident card.
Website: mtna.org
Music by Black Composers (MBC)
Founded in 2001 as a project of the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, MBC’s mission is to: inspire Black students to begin and continue instrumental training by showing them that they are an integral part of classical music’s past as well as its future; make the music of Black composers available to all people regardless of background or ethnicity; help bring greater diversity to the ranks of performers, composers, and audiences, and help change the face of classical music and its canon.
Website: www.musicbyblackcomposers.org
National Federation for Music Education (NAfME)
NAfME advocates for music education at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. A comprehensive listing of future virtual and in-person conferences and events is available online.
Website: nafme.org/community/conferences-and-events
League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras collects and curates the knowledge, information, data, leadership experiences, and effective practices that are essential for the orchestra world to thrive and grow. We share these through educational events and webinars, artistic programs, grant programs, research publications and studies, web resources, Symphony magazine, The Hub, and Symphony Spot.
Website: americanorchestras.org
American Composers Alliance
Non-profit composer's catalog and archives: services and support for music licensing, sheet music distribution, concerts, and recordings for independent American concert music composers.
Website: www.composers.com
Media: www.facebook.com/AmericanComposersAlliance
International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM)
A connective and informative global organization, IAWM increases opportunity and visibility for women in music. Welcoming to members of all genders, this forward-thinking advocacy alliance helps reshape the music industry’s landscape for greater equity and inclusion in the 21st century.
Website: iawm.org
1903 Club
New graduates are invited to become a member of the 1903 Club of SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
Sigma Alpha Iota is not a place, it’s a journey. Continue yours today. Upon graduation, members donating within the first year of alumnae status become a member of the 1903 Club, acknowledging their support of SAI.
Members of the 1903 Club:
• Become part of an exclusive network of recent graduates
• Strengthen the foundation of the fraternity
• Support the many scholarships, grants, and special projects funded by SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
• Get access to new social media content to show
your SAI pride
• This donation should be made within the first year
of attaining alumnae status to be granted this
special recognition.
Members will receive a personal link for paying national Alumnae Association dues and making a donation to SAI Philanthropies when their chapter treasurer reports them as new graduates.
Contact:
SAI Scholarships and Grants
Several opportunities are available every year to members of Sigma Alpha Iota through SAI Philanthropies, Inc. See this page for details.
