A young musician's expenses as a student and as an aspiring professional can be sizable.  The Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation's Grants for Education and Career provide help with costs not covered by traditional scholarships.  In awarding these grants, the REB Foundation seeks to identify those young artists who are both greatly talented and in particular financial need.

FOR SUPPORTERS

There are many deserving young musicians in need of help with such costs as supplemental lessons, entrance fees to competitions, audition recording sessions, travel expenses for competitions or auditions, sheet music purchase, accompanist fees, and instrument repair and maintenance.  These expenses are not covered by traditional scholarships and must be paid for out-of-pocket by aspiring young artists.  For those young musicians in difficult financial circumstances, these expenses can be a significant impediment to realizing their career goals and artistic aspirations.

Your help is greatly appreciated!  Please click here to make a fully tax-deductible contribution.  For donations of $500 or more, we would be happy to attach your name to a grant and to inform you about its recipient. 

For more information, please contact us at (312) 329-1170 or rebfoundation@aol.com.

Recent Recipients
To view information about recent Career Grant and Education Grant recipients, click here.

YouTube playlist – REB Foundation Young Artist Recipients

 FOR APPLICANTS

Costs covered by the grants
The REB Foundation's Grants for Education and Career helps cover such expenses as fees for supplemental lessons, entrance fees to competitions, audition recording sessions, travel expenses for competitions or auditions, sheet music purchase, accompanist fees, and instrument repair and maintenance.  We do NOT fund instrument purchases or tuition costs for lessons at music schools or summer music programs.

Criteria for determining the awards
Applications are accepted from young classical players of bowed string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, viola da gamba) between the ages of bowed string instruments between the ages of 10 and 30 of any gender, race, ethnicity, or country of origin.  Awards are given on the basis of musical talent and accomplishment, artistic aspirations, financial need, the merit of the grant request, and the availability of funds.

Deadlines for application
The REB Foundation awards Education and Career Grants two times per year.  For applications received by February 15, you will be notified by March 15; and for applications received by August 15, you will be notified by September 15.

Please click here for a printable application form.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat reader - click here to download for free.)

Application materials (All of the following may be submitted via e-mail except for the recordings.):

• Completed information sheet.
• A cover letter which provides an explanation of your financial situation including other sources of financial support, a description of your career and artistic goals, and the reasons you are seeking the grant.
• Biographical data.
• A list of current activities.
• TWO copies of a recent (within 12 months) audio or video recording of your playing, labeled with your name.
• At least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or other professional musician – please include name, address, telephone number, and email address for the person writing the recommendation.
• At least three additional references – please include name, address, telephone number, and email address for each reference.
• Documentation of financial circumstances to demonstrate need - we may request additional paperwork if necessary. All financial information and materials will be held in the strictest confidence.
• A current headshot, high-resolution or glossy photo. This photo will be used for publicity purposes should you be awarded a Grant; it will not be used when evaluating your application.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants may be asked to play an audition and/or to be interviewed.

FOR RECIPIENTS

The REB Foundation's Grants for Education and Career reimburses approved, documented expenses up to the dollar value of the grant award incurred within one year of the date of the award.  Itemized lists of expenditures, along with receipts and supporting documentation, may be submitted snail mail, e-mail, or fax.  After each submission, you will be issued a reimbursement check in a timely fashion. If you are a minor, please let us know whether the check should be written to you or to your parent/guardian. Please note that you will only be reimbursed for a portion of any chamber group expenses (for example, 1/4 of the cost of a string quartet recording session.)

Please click here for a printable reimbursement form.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat reader - click here to download for free.)

Recipients are eligible to be considered for continuing support.
Please click here for a printable renewal form.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat reader - click here to download for free.)

For renewal applications received by February 15, you will be notified by March 15; and for renewal applications received by August 15, you will be notified by September 15.

Please direct inquiries and send materials to:

The Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation
Grants for Education and Career
PO Box 11388. Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 329-1170
FAX: (312) 329-9240
rebfoundation@aol.com