Grants-In-Aid (GIA)

Watch for information about the 2025 GIA Auditions in the fall.

Posted May 13, 2024

The Williamsburg Music Club, Inc. Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Program awards scholarships to music students in grades six through twelve, residing in the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, to assist them with their musical studies and pursuit of goals.  The scholarships may be used for music lessons, summer music camp attendance, the purchase of music scores or purchase/rental of musical instruments and related supplies.

The annual auditions are held on the second or third Saturday of March, at Ewell Hall, on the campus of the College of William and Mary.  Adjudicated by three professional judges in the categories of Keyboard; Orchestra Strings and Voice; Orchestral Winds and Brass, the students are judged on their:

1. Exceptional musical talent
2. Demonstrated commitment to music studies
3. Level of excellence in both musicianship and technical competence

Scholarships include First Prize, Outstanding Performance Award and Second Prize, Musical Achievement Award; and optional Third Prize, Musical Achievement Award for the Senior Division, Grades 9—12; First Prize, Outstanding Performance Award, and Second Prize, Musical Achievement Award for the Junior Division, Grades 6—8.  Discretionary Honorable Mention and Musical Encouragement Awards may be given for each division.

Senior Division Scholarships include the Kathy Exton Prize of $500 or more which may be awarded to one or more graduating seniors planning to major in music in college; and the Ingrid Jahn Memorial Scholarship of $1000, to be awarded to a graduating senior planning to major in music in college.

The Grants-In-Aid Program is supported through members’ contributions, grants, and various fundraising activities including the Williamsburg Area Music Teachers Association (WAMT) annual performance benefit.  GIA Fund contributions may be used in the year of donation.  The Williamsburg Music Club, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) organization and contributions to the Endowment and the Grants-In-Aid Fund may be tax-deductible.  Contributions may be mailed to:

WMC, Inc.

P.O. Box 1808

Williamsburg, VA 23187—1808

Please continue to refer to this site for updates and other details of the competition. For direct assistance, please email: auditions@williamsburgmusicclub.org.

Award amounts are subject to change annually based on amount of funds available

The Kathy Exton Prize of $500 or more is available to one or more students in the 12^th grade at the time of the audition. To be eligible, the student must plan to continue music studies at the post-secondary level. All applicants for the Exton Prize must indicate on the Grants-in-Aid application their future musical plans, what colleges they have applied to and what degree program they have chosen. The prize will be made payable directly to the school attended.

The Ingrid Jahn Memorial Scholarship of $1000 is available to students in the 12^th grade at the time of the audition. To be eligible, the student must plan to continue music studies at the post-secondary level. All applicants for the Exton Prize must indicate on the Grants-in-Aid application their future musical plans, what colleges they have applied to and what degree program they have chosen. The Scholarship will be made payable directly to the school attended.

The Williamsburg Area Music Teachers (WAMT) Benefits began in 2010 when the teachers decided to expand their performances beyond their regular meetings and offered to hold a benefit for WMC, Inc's rapidly growing and well respected Grants-In-Aid Auditions (GIA) program. The teachers decided that all monies received during the annual benefits would be donated directly to the GIA program, enabling the club to increase the number of scholarships awarded every year to very deserving music students residing in the greater Williamsburg area.

WAMT's first benefit, "Spring Sparkle" An Afternoon of Musical Delights, was held on Saturday, May 22^nd, at 3:00 PM, at King of Glory Lutheran Church and followed by "Spring Sparkle, Opus 2" An Afternoon of Musical Delights (May 14^th, 2011); "Winter Wingding, Opus 1" An Afternoon of Musical Delights (Jan 28^th, 2012); "Wintry Divertimenti" An Afternoon of Musical Delights (Jan 26^th, 2013), and "Divertimenti…Celebrating 5 and 50" (Feb 1^st, 2014). In 2015 and 2016, WAMT held its annual benefits at Walnut Hills Baptist Church before moving to Williamsburg Baptist Church. A milestone year occurred in 2017 for WAMT with the celebration of its 10^th Anniversary, "Divertimenti 10", A Decade of Delights on Jan 26^th! A second decade began in 2020 when "Divertimenti 11" was held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church on Feb 3^rd. Until the pandemic's arrival, WMC, Inc. held receptions immediately following the benefits. The first-ever virtual benefit was held on Jan 30^th, 2021, with a return to in-person performances on Jan 29^th, 2022, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church.

Since 2010, WAMT's annual benefits have contributed to awarding $85,500 in Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Scholarships to 174 very talented young musical students by Williamsburg Music Club, Inc. The scholarships have provided monetary funds for lessons, summer music camps, purchase or rental of a musical instrument, and assistance to qualified senior students planning to major in music at the college level.

No photos available from "Divertimento 12" Virtual Benefit on January 30, 2021.