The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of a Bridge Fellowship of $1,000 for young professional musicians residing in Northeastern Minnesota. The purpose of the fellowship is to help subsidize professional expenses, ideally those related to a musical project with local impact. The fellowship will thus aid in the professional development of a local musician, serving as a bridge between formal training and the onset of a professional music career, while also enriching the local musical community.
Stay tuned for announcements about future fellowship opportunities!
Example Fellowship Projects
The fellowship funding can be used for any number of projects or opportunities. Some examples of possible projects/project components are included here for reference, but are not meant to be limiting.
Public performance or educational projects:
- Putting on a performance or other event
- Starting an ensemble or performance series
- Creating an educational program or workshop for local music students
Promotional projects:
- Developing promotional products such as a website
- Professional audio or video production of works
Training:
- Advanced training, including workshops or professional courses (applications to general workshops must demonstrate how creative development will occur as a result of attendance)
- Professional conference and travel fees
Supplies:
- Recording equipment
- Instruments
- Studio/practice space rental
WHO CAN APPLY
Young musicians (up to age 35) in northeastern Minnesota who have recently completed formal musical training, who would benefit from financial assistance to help jumpstart their professional careers.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must live in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake or Cook counties) at the time of application.
- Applicants must have recently (preferably within the past 5 years) completed formal musical training such as a degree in music from a college/university/conservatory or equivalent experience—if you have questions about whether you qualify, contact us at: fellowship@friendsofbrad.org.
- Applicants cannot be employed as full time music teachers at public or private schools
- Applicants cannot be related to any of the Friends of Brad trustees, board members, or members of the fellowship adjudication committee.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVE TO APPLICATIONS THAT:
- Show a clear link between the proposed project and the applicant’s long-term career goals.
- Articulate how the proposed project will enrich the local musical culture.
- Illustrate the applicant’s passion for music.
- Demonstrate the applicant’s personality, especially with creativity, humor and playfulness.
- Focus on percussion and contemporary music, although all types of musicians are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
1) COMPLETE AND SUBMIT the online Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation Bridge Fellowship form (available at this link).
2) SEND AN E-MAIL TO: fellowship@friendsofbrad.org with the following attachments:
- A current curriculum vitae or resume
- A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the applicant’s musical works/ability
- A budget that outlines the costs of the proposed project/opportunity
- A brief essay (no more than 2 pages) that:
a. Tells us about which music-related activities have been most rewarding or fulfilling for you thus far in your career. How have these experiences shaped and informed your future plans?
b. Outlines the applicant’s career plan/goals (both in the near and long-term).
c. Describes how the Bridge Fellowship will assist the applicant in meeting long-term career goals
- A video or audio recording that showcases the applicant’s musical talent (10 minutes maximum duration). An excerpt of a longer work, CD/DVD, or concert is fine. The preferred submission method is via YouTube or another freely accessible video sharing web site (send us a link to your video). Alternatively, video or audio files (larger than 3 MB) should be posted to a server for the fellowship adjudication committee to download, or sent using YouSendIt.com or a similar file sharing service. If online submission is for some reason not feasible, please contact us by e-mail (fellowship@friendsofbrad.org) explaining the situation, and we’ll attempt to accommodate your submission via alternate means.
THE DEADLINE for all application materials to be received is: pending
- Applications must be submitted by 5 pm (CST) on the deadline date.
- Applications received after the deadline are ineligible and will not be reviewed.
- You will receive an e-mail confirmation once your application has been received.
- The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation fellowship adjudication committee will judge the applications. The committee reserves the right to abstain from awarding the fellowship if there are no qualified applicants.