Scholarships & Grants Enrich our Community
The Reading Musical Foundation (RMF) awards scholarships and grants that profoundly enrich our community. Founded in 1926, RMF awards about $200,000 each year in scholarships to Berks County student musicians (divided almost evenly between merit- and need-based scholarships). In fact, since the scholarship fund was created in 1971, RMF has awarded $2.4M.
RMF awards about $300,000 annually in grants that fund programs that support music education and appreciation in Berks County. One RMF grant expands offerings of the 14-year-old Maidencreek Old Time Music Festival — an annual, one-day festival with over two dozen workshops in which students learn and play Appalachian string-band music. Without that grant, the festival would be smaller or, possibly, non-existent.
A 2001 RMF grant to renovate Reading’s Rajah Theater restored a performance venue that also benefits music lovers who don’t play instruments or sing themselves. In addition to grants, RMF awards scholarships.
RMF scholarships include:
- merit awards by audition for Berks County students (grades 1-12)
- need-sensitive awards for Berks County students (grades 1-12) and adults
- private study and instrument upgrades (grades 1-12), and private vocal study (grades 7-12)
- summer music camps (grades 1-12)
- private study for adult students of organ, folk music (mandolin, ukulele, banjo, fiddle…), or early instruments (recorder, harpsichord, harp…).
Students interested in auditioning for a merit scholarship or applying for need-sensitive scholarship can find details and the application on RMF’s website . The next application deadline is February 15, 2022.
Mike & Paula
Meadowood Music
8521 Allentown Pike
Blandon, PA 19510
