The Suncoast Music Scholarship program began in 2016 as a partnership between music education supporters, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota and the Sarasota Music Club. When the Sarasota Music Club closed in 2023, it made a generous donation to Artist Series Concerts so that the Suncoast Music Scholarship program could continue making financial awards to help the most gifted high school students in Sarasota and Manatee counties continue their structured music education.

Suncoast Music Scholarships awards up to $20,000 annually in music scholarships to 9th through 12th grade students who reside in Sarasota or Manatee counties and qualify through a competition that is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists studying in a structured environment, past applicants, and winners.

Awards

Awards for 9th, 10th and 11th grade students are to be used for expenses related to the study of music, such as paying for private lessons, instrument purchase or repairs, music camps, etc. Awards for 12th grade students are to be used for music education purposes, ideally as tuition for a structured and approved music program at a college or university, or for other music education expenses as listed above.

Scholarship Awards for 2026:

2027 Flyer & Information Poster  (click to download)

2027 Application Form (click to open)

All Applications for the Spring 2027 Competition must be received by 4:00pm EST April 9, 2027.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Competitive Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2027 at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St, Sarasota.

Applicants are required to perform, by memory, a minimum of two pieces of music of contrasting styles and from different periods. Performance time must total no less than seven (7) minutes and no longer than ten (10) minutes. Judging is based on technique, musicality and presentation. Professional attire is recommended. Applicants must provide their own accompanist.

Competition winners are required to perform at our winners’ concert on Saturday, May 2, 2027, 3:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota. Competition winners will have the opportunity to represent Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota at Community Outreach events. A video testimonial may be requested of winners. 
The winner's concert is free and open to the public.

Congratulations to our Winners of the 2026 Suncoast Music Scholarship Competition:

Click Here to View our 2026 Scholarship Winner's Concert Flyer

9th grade
Aiden Yue, 1st place; $1000; piano
Lucas Guo, 2nd place; $500; cello
Justin Kim, 3rd place; $300; viola

10th grade
Abigail Petrow, 1st place; $1,500; piano
Jacob Tran, 2nd place; $1,000; piano
Diana Rumiantseva, 3rd place; $500; violin

11th grade
Selena Shen, 1st place; $3,000; violin
Emmanuel Luzginov, 2nd place; $2,000; violin
Aadi Bhensdadia, 3rd place; $1,000; guitar

12th grade
Alexa Helton, 1st place; $4,000; clarinet
Adrian Adover, 2nd place; $3,000; guitar
Sebastian Andrade-Rondon, 3rd place; $2,000; bassoon