Singer Marian Anderson performs at DAR Constitution Hall in 1943. Undergraduate and graduate students studying music may apply for a one-time $5,000 scholarship honoring her legacy through January 31.
Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing music studies are invited to apply for the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship through January 31. Sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the scholarship provides a one-time $5,000 award to one student each year.
The scholarship honors the legacy of Marian Anderson (1897–1993), a groundbreaking African American contralto whose career and courage helped inspire the civil rights movement.
“This scholarship pays tribute to Marian Anderson’s life, and the Daughters of the American Revolution seeks to honor her legacy through aspiring musicians,” said DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage. “Her legacy lives on in others who aim for excellence in musical studies, are committed to their communities, and are willing to stand up for what is right.”
Applicants must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States and have a concentration in music as part of their course of study. Eligible areas of specialization include music performance, composition, theory, and education. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent used by their institution.
Applications are available at dar.org/outreach/education/scholarships. Because references must be submitted through the application system, applicants are encouraged to request references well in advance of the January 31 deadline.
In keeping with Anderson’s lifelong commitment to community service, applicants are required to submit a personal statement describing their humanitarian or volunteer contributions to their community and/or country.
Preference is given to students from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the city Anderson called home, even if they are not studying music in the Philadelphia region.
While the scholarship is not automatically renewable, recipients may reapply for consideration each year for up to four consecutive years.
The scholarship is supported by the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Fund. More information about Marian Anderson’s relationship with DAR and the organization’s ongoing efforts to honor her legacy is available at dar.org/MarianAnderson.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is one of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, with approximately 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters across the United States and several foreign countries. DAR promotes historic preservation, education, and patriotism through scholarships, educational initiatives, commemorative events, citizenship programs, service to veterans, and community outreach.
For more information about DAR and its mission, visit dar.org.
