The International Trombone Association is pleased to announce the ITA Ray and Vera Conniff Scholarship Program, funded through the Ray and Vera Conniff Endowment. This new program supports young trombone players participating in the ITF Youth Workshop by helping make this important educational opportunity more accessible.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship is intended to support talented young trombonists in their musical development and participation in the ITF Youth Workshop.
Scholarship support may include:
- Complimentary participation in the ITF Youth Workshop
- A stipend toward travel and lodging expenses
The number of scholarships and stipend amounts may vary from year to year depending on available endowment income.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be between 12 and 17 years old
- Be applying to participate in the ITF Youth Workshop
- Demonstrate commitment and potential as a trombone player
- Submit all required application materials by the deadline
Application Materials
Applicants will submit the standard materials required for ITF Youth Workshop participation.
Scholarship applicants may also be asked to submit:
- A solo video recording of no more than two minutes, featuring repertoire of the applicant’s choosing
- A brief personal statement outlining musical background, interest in the Youth Workshop, and long-term goals as a musician
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee with representatives from Youth Workshop leadership, the Standing Committee on International Trombone Festival, and the ITA Executive Board.
Applications will be evaluated holistically based on:
- Musical promise
- Interest in attending the Youth Workshop
- Anticipated educational benefit of participation
Timeline
Full application details, deadlines, and scholarship guidelines will be published soon.
Acknowledgment
The International Trombone Association is deeply grateful to the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation for making this opportunity possible and for supporting the next generation of trombonists.
From his beginnings as a trombonist/arranger during the heyday of swing working with Bunny Berigan, Bob Crosby and Artie Shaw to his acclaim as the leader of his own band, Grammy winner Ray Conniff is among the few musicians to have had a successful career that spanned 65 years. He has recorded over 100 studio albums, selling over 70 million albums. He created the “Ray Conniff Sound” by being the first to use voices to double as instruments on his recordings. He also was the first to stage a live concert using three-channel stereo feeds. Best known for his work as The Ray Conniff Orchestra and Singers, Conniff was one of the few commercially successful musical icons. His legacy continues through the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation, which supports music and education globally.
Learn all about The Conniff Story
For questions, please contact the International Trombone Association at info@trombone.net.
