The Nancy F. Walker Scholarships
for Western Classical
Vocal and Instrumental Students
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS 2026
COLLEGE AWARDS
1st: $10,000
2nd: $5,000
3rd: $3,000
$500 Encouragement Awards
HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS
1st: $4,000
2nd: $2,000
3rd: $1,000
$500 Encouragement Awards
The Nancy F. Walker Memorial Scholarship Competition for Western Classical instrumental and vocal students has been held annually since 2018. In 2025, total of $54,500 was awarded to juniors and seniors in high school and college from 6 counties, representing 37 different teachers, 3 colleges, 14 high schools, and homeschools.
ELIGIBILITY:
High School Juniors and Seniors
College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors
Must be residents in:
- Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio;
- Dearborn County in Indiana;
- Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Kentucky.
AUDITION INFORMATION:
- Qualifying candidates were notified by Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
AUDITION LOCATION:
Gathering Joy Church, 8735 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati OH 45251
- Prepare a total of 8-10 minutes of memorized Western classical music from at least 2 different periods of music history. For voice applicants – selections may include operetta but NOT musical theater
- Provide your own collaborative pianist
- Provide 3 copies of your music for the judges. One original (purchased, not copied) must be present at your audition.
Top Award Winners must commit to perform at 11 am on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for the Scholarship Recital and Luncheon at Greenacres Arts Center, 8400 Blome Rd, Indian Hill, Cincinnati, OH 45243.
Auditions are adjudicated by highly qualified, distinguished judges, who also provide comments which are shared with individual students.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Jane Copper-Short at matineemusicalescholarships@gmail.com
Click below to see our past winners!
Nancy Fuldner Walker, memorialized by these scholarships, was a musician, music teacher and strong advocate for all music and arts organizations. She provided able leadership to Matinée Musicale for more than four decades before her death in October 2017. Matinée Musicale Cincinnati honors her legacy of support and encouragement of young musicians through these scholarships.
