Gary and Rise Moody Scholarship 2025

The Gary and Risë Moody Scholarship at Colorado State University (CSU) supports talented students of oboe or bassoon in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance within the College of Liberal Arts. Established by Gary and Risë Moody, this merit-based scholarship aims to maintain and enhance the quality of double reed performance at CSU. The scholarship provides up to USD 5,000 to cover tuition, fees, or other educational expenses. CSU, located in Fort Collins, is a top-tier public research university ranked 149th in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report 2025), enrolling over 33,000 students, including 2,000+ international students. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is renowned for its performance programs, offering access to ensembles like the CSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Recipients benefit from world-class facilities, such as the University Center for the Arts, and networking opportunities with professional musicians, enhancing their artistic and career prospects.

To be eligible for the Gary and Risë Moody Scholarship 2025-2026, applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time or part-time as an undergraduate or graduate student in the College of Liberal Arts at CSU for the 2025-26 academic year.

• Be pursuing any major within the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

• Have a primary instrument of oboe or bassoon.

• Actively participate in a CSU music ensemble (e.g., Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Chamber Music).

• Demonstrate musical excellence, as evaluated through an audition or performance review with the CSU music faculty.

• Be a Colorado resident or non-resident, including international students with a valid U.S. student visa (F-1).

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for students not enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts or School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

  • Not available for students whose primary instrument is not oboe or bassoon.

  • Not available for students not participating in a CSU music ensemble.

• Value: Up to USD 5,000, awarded as a one-time payment or split across fall and spring semesters, depending on funding availability.

• Disbursement: Credited to the recipient’s tuition and fees account or paid directly to their bank account upon submission of the Scholarship Acceptance Form, typically by September 2025 for fall or January 2026 for spring.

• Duration: Non-renewable, awarded annually for the 2025-26 academic year. Students may reapply in subsequent years if eligible.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Recognition as a Gary and Risë Moody Scholar, enhancing musical and professional credentials.

  • Access to CSU’s state-of-the-art music facilities, including the University Center for the Arts and practice studios.

  • Opportunities to perform with professional ensembles and network with faculty, such as members of the Des Moines Symphony or Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra.

  • Career support through CSU’s Career Center, with a 94% graduate employability rate (HESA 2023).

The Gary and Risë Moody Scholarship is an automatch scholarship, requiring no separate application beyond the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA) and a music audition. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for Admission:

   • Submit an application for a music-related undergraduate or graduate program in the College of Liberal Arts via the CSU Admissions Portal (admissions.colostate.edu) by February 1, 2025 (fall 2025) or November 1, 2025 (spring 2026).

   • Required documents:

     • Academic transcripts (in English or with certified translations).

     • English proficiency test scores for international students (e.g., TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, or CSU-approved equivalent).

     • Personal statement (500–750 words) outlining musical and academic goals.

     • Two letters of recommendation (for graduate applicants).

     • Copy of passport (for international students).

2. Complete Music Audition:

   • Schedule and complete an audition with the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, demonstrating proficiency on oboe or bassoon. Auditions are typically held in February 2025 for fall or November 2025 for spring (check music.colostate.edu for dates).

   • Prepare repertoire as specified by the CSU music faculty (e.g., solo pieces, orchestral excerpts).

3. Complete CSUSA:

   • Submit the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA) via colostate.academicworks.com by March 1, 2025, including academic records, extracurricular achievements, and a personal statement.

   • No additional application is needed for the Gary and Risë Moody Scholarship, as it is automatch based on admission and audition data.

4. Evaluation: The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance scholarship committee assesses applicants based on:

   • Musical excellence (audition performance on oboe or bassoon).

   • Ensemble participation (verified by faculty).

   • Academic merit (GPA, transcripts).

5. Notification: Successful applicants are notified via their CSU email by April 2025 (fall) or December 2025 (spring).

6. Accept and Enroll:

   • Accept the scholarship via the CSUSA portal by the deadline in the offer letter (typically May 2025 for fall, January 2026 for spring).

   • Enroll full-time or part-time and participate in a CSU music ensemble by the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

• CSU admission application (via admissions.colostate.edu).

• Academic transcripts (in English or with certified translations).

• English proficiency test scores (international students: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5).

• Personal statement (500–750 words) for CSUSA and admission.

• Two letters of recommendation (graduate applicants).

• Copy of passport (international students).

• Audition repertoire and performance (scheduled with the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance).

• CSUSA application (via colostate.academicworks.com, including academic and extracurricular details).

• Note: Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Submit admission documents by February 1, 2025 (fall) or November 1, 2025 (spring), and CSUSA by March 1, 2025. Audition requirements are specified at music.colostate.edu.

• Program Application Deadlines:

  • Fall 2025: February 1, 2025 (priority); regular deadlines vary by program.

  • Spring 2026: November 1, 2025.

• CSUSA Deadline: March 1, 2025, for fall or spring consideration.

• Audition Deadlines: February 2025 (fall) or November 2025 (spring), check music.colostate.edu for exact dates.

• Notification: April 2025 (fall); December 2025 (spring).

• Acceptance Deadline: As specified in the offer letter (typically May 2025 for fall, January 2026 for spring).

• Enrollment Deadline: August 2025 (fall); January 2026 (spring).

• Health Insurance Deadline: August 15, 2025, for international students.

• Note: Verify deadlines at admissions.colostate.edu, colostate.academicworks.com, or music.colostate.edu. Early application by December 2024 (fall) or September 2025 (spring) is recommended for international students due to visa processing.

• Email: scholarships@colostate.edu (Office of Financial Aid); music@colostate.edu (School of Music, Theatre, and Dance); admissions@colostate.edu (Admissions Office).

• Phone: +1 970-491-6909 (Admissions); +1 970-491-5891 (Music Office, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM MST, Monday–Friday).

• Address: Office of Financial Aid, Colorado State University, 1065 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

• Website: www.colostate.edu; colostate.academicworks.com; music.colostate.edu