CURRENT STUDENTS: With the recent addition of a final few students, all three VJC ensembles for 2024-25 are now all full groups. Thanks to so many students from across Maricopa County for your interest in VJC activities! We are privileged to work with you.
FRIENDS & FANS: Upcoming concerts include the VJC Senior Showcase featuring trombonist Nick Finzer (Fri., 5/2 @ 7 PM), VJC Spotlight Concert (Sat., 5/3 @ 2PM), and the VJC Alumni Band (Sat., 6/28 @ 7 PM), all at Ravenscroft in Scottsdale. Learn more (and purchase tickets) HERE.
EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And hear this great new music on our YouTube channel. VJC Publications offers flex. charts that don't compromise. Please note that 100% of every VJC Publication purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.
VJC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Valley Jazz Cooperative Scholarship Program
for High School Seniors
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Valley Jazz Cooperative Scholarship Program is designed to recognize outstanding high school seniors, in support of their post-secondary education. Scholarships are awarded annually to three current or former VJC ensemble participants. Scholarship recipients are talented young musicians, with emphasis given to individuals who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through service to others. As a long-term goal, the VJCSP encourages its scholarship recipients to continue making positive impacts on society through community engagement and service, as well as support for/participation in the arts.
The Valley Jazz Cooperative Scholarship Program is generously supported by MSW Ministries. (Visit MSW Ministries to learn more about the VJC’s parent organization.)
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Each scholarship recipient will be presented with an award of $1,000.00, annually renewable over a four-year period, for a maximum possible total award of $4,000.00. The funds will be made available by August 15th, each year, and paid directly to the Office of the Bursar (or equivalent) at the accredited 2- or 4-year educational institution in which the scholarship recipient is enrolled as a full-time student. [Note this new award figure is effective Fall 2025. Previously, VJC Scholarship packages were half that amount: $500.00 per year for a maximum, four-year total award of $2,000.00. VJC Scholarship recipients from the past few years who remain enrolled in an accredited university or community college—and are still eligible by all criteria to accept their award—will also receive this higher scholarship amount moving forward.]
MINIMUM REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS
The applicant must currently be a high school senior.
The applicant must have previously participated in the Valley Jazz Cooperative as a positive, contributing member of a VJC ensemble.
The applicant must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher through mid-term grades of senior year (or equivalent GPA for schools not using a four-point grading system).
The applicant must intend to begin a post-secondary education as a full-time student at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university in the academic year immediately following high school graduation. [Note: There is one exception to this requirement. For an LDS student who is scheduled to go on their Mission immediately after high school, instead of after their freshman year of college, the VJC will “hold” their scholarship award for 18-24 months. See application form for additional details.]
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS
The applicant has shown selfless, servant leadership in outreach activities, demonstrating a commitment to others through participation in events sponsored by one’s church, school, or community (or initiated independently in whole or in part by the applicant).
The applicant intends to major or minor in an undergraduate program at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university in music, other performing or visual arts, education, social work/human services, theology, or any other area of study that credibly leads toward making positive contributions to one’s community (post-graduation) through direct service to others or alternative/indirect means.
The applicant is currently participating in the Valley Jazz Cooperative as a positive, contributing member of a VJC ensemble.
APPLICATION PROCESS/REQUIREMENTS
The applicant must submit a completed Valley Jazz Cooperative Scholarship Program application form, as well as a copy of the applicant’s high school transcript, current through senior year mid-term grades, providing one’s cumulative high school GPA.
The applicant may also choose to include a supporting (confidential) letter of recommendation from a pastor/worship leader, teacher, project supervisor, or mentor, addressing the applicant’s candidacy for this scholarship and (if applicable) providing details of the applicant’s involvement in one or more service/outreach activities.
Completed applications must be received each year by MSW Ministries by April 1st. If April 1st falls on a weekend, then completed applications must be received by the first business day after April 1st. Please note that no application materials will be returned.
To download the Valley Jazz Cooperative Scholarship Program application materials, please click on the button below (for the .pdf packet). This packet provides additional information on various topics, including the process by which scholarships are awarded and the requirements recipients must meet to maintain eligibility for (annual) scholarship renewal. The download also includes the VJCSP Application Form and the VJCSP Confidential Letter of Recommendation Form.
To see a list of previous VJC scholarship recipients, click here.