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to recognize, afford, and achieve
their collegiate dreams.

Accoladi Welcome Section

Welcome to Accoladi

Connecting student musicians
with opportunity and direction.

At Accoladi, everything starts with your talent—and the right introductions. We connect you with real-world opportunities for college admission, scholarships, and summer programs. Whether you're preparing auditions or exploring your path, we're here to guide, support, and celebrate your journey.

Explore the Nation's Largest Collection of Non-Institutional Music and Academic Scholarships — 170,000+ and Counting, Only at Accoladi.

Discover Now

Mind-Blowing Fact: Over $5.3 Billion in non-institutional scholarships is available every year in America — and most students don't even know it exists.

Discover College Marching Bands: A State-By-State Guide

College Marching Band

Discover College Music Departments, University Schools of Music, and Conservatories. A State-by-State Guide

US College Directory

Discover Your Path: A Guide to Nineteen Specialized Music Major Areas for Associates, Undergraduates, and Graduate Students

Majors

Discover a National Repertoire Directory by Music Grade Levels and Appropriate Audition Pieces

Audition Repertoire

Resources

At Accoladi, we believe that preparation isn’t just about practice—it’s about having the right tools, the right information, and the right strategy. That’s why our Resources section is designed to meet you at every stage of your journey, whether you're just beginning to explore your options or you're deep in the audition and application process.

From step-by-step guides that break down complex tasks to expert-written articles that offer real-world insights, our content is built for action and clarity. You’ll find curated directories of music and performing arts programs, how-to checklists for every milestone, scholarship search strategies, mock entrance exams, and performance prep tools—all developed to help you move forward with confidence.

No fluff. No guesswork. Just the resources you need to make informed decisions, stand out in auditions, and turn your passion into opportunity. Whether you're navigating college applications, building your artistic résumé, or exploring scholarship opportunities, everything you need is right here—organized, accessible, and designed with your success in mind.

I dreamed big. I worked hard. By the time I was a senior at Kenmore East High School in Tonawanda, New York, I had built a strong résumé—filled with performances, hours of practice, and everything I thought I needed. But when it came to turning that effort into college opportunities, I didn’t know where to start. I had no roadmap. No connections. Just questions.

That’s when I found Accoladi. Through their platform, I was finally able to see what was out there—scholarships I’d never heard of, schools that matched my goals, and tools that helped me pull everything together. They even took my calls when I had questions, and that meant more than they know.

With Accoladi’s guidance, my hard work had direction. My dream had a plan. And I had a way forward.

Today, I’m proud to say I studied at both Oberlin Conservatory and the Colburn School—two of the most respected music institutions in the country.

Yes, dreams do come true. And for me, Accoladi helped make that possible.

A.J. Neubert

Principal Bassoonist – Charlotte Symphony

See A.J.'s Profile

ACCOLADI – EVERYTHING YOU NEED, ALL IN ONE PLACE! ACCOLADI – EVERYTHING YOU NEED, ALL IN ONE PLACE!

We've Got You Covered

Start your college journey with confidence!

Browse our library of helpful articles and directories made just for performing arts students and their families. Whether you're choosing a school, planning campus visits, preparing for auditions, applying for scholarships, or getting ready to submit applications—this is your go-to place for everything college.

Double the Passion, Double the Possibilities: A Music Student's Guide to Double Majoring

Explore how combining music with another field can open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Dual Enrollment: A Prelude to Success for Music Students

Get ahead in your music education journey with strategic dual enrollment opportunities.

3 Smart Ways Future Music Majors Can Connect with College Music Departments

Discover proven strategies to build meaningful relationships with college music departments before you apply.

Contrasting Style Solos: Why They Matter in College Auditions

From Baroque to modern, fast to lyrical—contrasting solos reveal a musician's full range in college auditions.

Cracking the Code: Why Orchestral Excerpts Matter for Music Auditions

Discover why mastering just a few bars of music can make or break an audition and reveal your potential.

Etiquette Matters: What Not to Ask During Your First College Visit

Make a great first impression with proper college visit etiquette and smart questions.

From Application to Audition: Your Game Plan for Getting into Music School

A comprehensive roadmap to navigate the music school application and audition process successfully.

Gratitude's Melody: My Journey to My First Collegiate Rehearsal

Sometimes the smallest gestures-like a simple thank-you -- open the biggest doors. Discover how one note of gratitude changed everything.

Hitting the Right Note: Navigating College Fairs for Aspiring Music Majors

Discover how college fairs tailored for music students can open doors to top programs and help you make meaningful connections before you ever audition.

How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships

Private music lessons do more than sharpen skills — they unlock opportunity. Discover how one-on-one instruction builds confidence, hones performance, and opens doors to college auditions and scholarships.

Managing Performance Anxiety : A Comprehensive Guide to Shining in Auditions

Packed with proven strategies, expert insights, and inspiring real-life stories, it empowers musicians to turn performance anxiety into confident, expressive auditions.

Marching Band Scholarships: A Hidden Avenue to College Funding

Discover how marching band can do more than make music—it can open doors to scholarships, leadership roles, and life-changing opportunities.

Master Class Magic: How to Stand Out in College Music Applications

Where nerves meet opportunity, growth begins. Discover how one powerful experience can elevate your student’s talent—and their college application.

More Than Talent: How to Be the Student They Want to Teach

Professors don't just admit talent—they choose students they won't mind teaching every Tuesday morning before coffee, touring Europe with next spring, and introducing to their colleagues without bracing themselves first.

Music Scholarships 101: How to Get the Most Help Paying for College

Think a music degree is out of reach because of cost? Think again. Whether you're aiming for college scholarships or exploring grants from arts organizations, this guide helps you uncover the many ways to fund your passion — and shows why applying early and often is the key to making your musical dreams a reality.

Navigating Audition Day:Crafting Your Path to Success

From nerves to notes, this guide helps student musicians face audition day with clarity, confidence, and control.

Performing Arts Scholarships: The Untold Story of Unrestricted Funding

Shedding light on the financial freedom performing arts students deserve—and the billions in performing arts scholarships many never knew existed

Preparing for Stardom: Why Every Performing Arts Student’s Parent Should Think Like a Talent Manager

Talent is just the beginning. Learn how the right moves today—owning your child’s UTL name, building their brand, and shaping their story—can set your young performing artist on a path to lasting stardom.

Study Music Abroad Without the Debt: A Smart Alternative to U.S. Colleges

Talent is just the beginning. Learn how the right moves today—owning your child's UTL name, building their brand, and shaping their story—can set your young performing artist on a path to lasting stardom.

Telling Your Musical Story: Building a Strong Solo Repertoire

From first solo to final audition—how a carefully curated repertoire list becomes a student’s personal record of growth, readiness, and artistic identity.

Traveling to Your Audition: A Guide to Smooth and Stress-Free Transportation

Don't let travel troubles ruin your big audition! This guide has everything you need to ensure you and your instrument arrive.

Unlocking the Secrets of Musical Composition Titles: A Key to Audition Success

Discover how decoding a composition’s name can elevate your performance, impress adjudicators, and help you stand out from the competition.

Want a Great College Reference: Start Here

How one meaningful connection with a music teacher can open doors to college, scholarships, and a lifelong mentorship — starting now.

What Colleges See First: 8 Pre-Screen Audition Tips Every Performer Should Know

You don’t need fancy gear to capture talent — just these smart, affordable tips that could turn an audition video into a scholarship-winning performance.

Why a Liberal Arts Education Can Be Your Child's Ticket to Success as a Musician

Discover why a liberal arts education isn’t just about academics—it’s a powerful launchpad for aspiring musicians to thrive in every stage of their careers.

A Matter of Degrees :Navigating Undergraduate Music Programs

Choosing the right music degree isn't just about a major -- it's about mapping the future of your artistry. Discover the key differences between BM, BA, BFA, and BS programs and find your perfect path.

Why Music Majors Might Out-Earn Doctors (No, Really)

From educators, performers, and industry insiders who got tired of hearing “music isn’t a real career” and decided to answer with Broadway box-office receipts, royalty checks, and Grammy paydays.

Serve, Study, and Succeed: How the College Corps Fellowship Funds Your Education and Elevates Your Music Career

Where Purpose Meets Performance: How Service Can Help Pay for Your Music Degree.

Where You Go Isn’t Just Where You Learn: It’s Where You Launch

For those navigating the leap from talent to training and tuning both heart and mind to what’s next—this is your guide to finding the path that fits, connects, and inspires.

Charting Audition Success: A Six-Month Senior Year Preparedness Plan

A month-by-month roadmap designed to help aspiring music majors confidently prepare for college auditions—one scale, solo, and strategy at a time.

Choosing Where Undergraduate Music Majors Really Thrive: College vs. University Demystified

Beyond the Name: Finding the Place That Helps You Find Your

Coaching the Dream : Is an Audition Coach Right for You?

Discover the real perks, the hidden costs, and how to tell if coaching is the right

Deadlines Are for Real: Navigating College Application Deadlines

Mastering college applications means mastering deadlines. Success hinges on precision, preparation, and unwavering commitment to each institution’s unique demands.

Don’t Panic: Paying for College Starts Here and Now

Because affording your dream school shouldn't be a dream.

Music in Uniform: The Real Path to Becoming a U.S. Military Musician

Where passion meets purpose — discover how talented musicians turn their love for music into a professional career serving their country.

Great Performer – Not Enough Anymore: The Evolving Demands of Collegiate Music Department Recruiting

The music industry fuels the U.S. economy, driving schools to recruit creative, business-savvy students. Scholarships now target songwriters.

Take the Stage, Not the Debt: Global Gap Year Opportunities for Musicians and Musical Theater Performers

How young artists can launch their careers and travel the world — without a college degree.

Backstage Bucks: How Work-Study Can Help Fund Your Music Degree

Because your talent deserves more than applause, it deserves a paycheck.

Rewind to Win: The Secret Strength of Simpler Solos

It’s not about impressing—it's about expressing.

Browse All Articles

The Accoladi Research Team is constantly tracking trends in performing arts collegiate recruiting, documenting scholarship procurement processes, and uncovering new resources for students and families. From the latest audition requirements to insider tips on securing funding, we’re always expanding our library— so, you can make informed choices with confidence.

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