NFMC Mary Alice Cox Award (Strings)
Offered by National Federation of Music Clubs
About This Scholarship
The Mary Alice Cox Award is the National Federation of Music Clubs' dedicated prize for pre-college string players: cello, violin, viola, and double bass students under age 19 compete for $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $1,000 for third. All three prizes clear four figures, which is unusual for a junior-level string award with a recorded-audition format.
NFMC's Junior Division awards are judged from submitted auditions coordinated through the Federation's regional structure, so entering does not require travel to a national final. That keeps the competition realistic for students balancing school, youth orchestra, and lesson schedules.
As with all NFMC junior awards, entrants hold junior membership through a federated teacher, a local junior music club, or an individual junior membership. The annual deadline is March 1, with requirements posted on the NFMC Junior Division page.
Eligibility
- String players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) under age 19 as of the March 1 deadline
- NFMC Junior Division membership (federated junior club, federated teacher, or individual junior membership)
- Recorded audition per the Mary Alice Cox requirements form
How To Apply
- Confirm NFMC junior membership through your string teacher or local federated club
- Download the Mary Alice Cox award requirements form from the NFMC Junior Division awards page
- Record the required audition repertoire
- Submit the application, entry fee, and recording by March 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Mary Alice Cox Award pay?
First place receives $2,500, second place $1,500, and third place $1,000, making it one of the larger junior string prizes judged by recorded audition.
Which instruments qualify?
Orchestral strings: violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Violists may also want to look at NFMC's separate Wendell Irish Viola Award, which has its own March 1 deadline.