Honors, Awards & Scholarships

The prestigious Mary G. and G. Harold Osborne Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually each spring to a small number of outstanding students majoring in Studio Art, Cinema, Dance, Music, and/or Theatre. Candidates must be nominated to apply by their major department and must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Following a presentation/audition in the spring, recipients are selected by a faculty committee based on artistic merit, academic acumen, and leadership qualities. Application guidelines can be obtained from the Music Department Chair.

This endowment has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. William N. Osborne, honoring the memory of his parents, who spent many of their last years in Granville. William Osborne came to Denison in 1961 as a faculty member in the Department of Music. Later, he was named Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts, the position he held when he retired in 2003.

Music majors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible for the Vail Award in the Fine Arts, which is awarded annually to outstanding majors and minors in Studio Art, Art History and Visual Culture, Cinema, Dance, Music, and Theatre. There is no application process.

Estelle King Van Beuren Endowed Memorial Scholarships are based on talent as well as financial need. Students enrolled in a large musical ensemble and a corresponding private lesson who show promise may be eligible for an applied music scholarship good towards the cost of private lessons at Denison. Students may apply and receive this scholarship more than once. The number of awards will be contingent upon the amount of money available in the fund.

Virginia Van Beuren of the Class of 1933 established this fund in Honor of her mother, who as a keyboardist was granted a Conservatory Diploma in 1903. To apply, please submit the private lesson scholarship form.

The Laura Craytor Boulton fellowship is awarded based on merit to a student who has an interest in ethnomusicology. The fellowship may be used for field work or for studies at Denison.

The fund was established by a member of the class of 1920 who became an internationally acclaimed ethnomusicologist and one of the world’s renowned authorities on African music. Denison awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1965.

The Gertrude Carharrt Brelsford Award is given based on merit to a student of sophomore rank or above who demonstrates a high standard of scholarship and who has shown evidence of musical talent.

The Karl Eschman Awards are awarded in memory of Dr. Eschman 1911, longtime Director of the Conservatory of Music. These are given to upper-class music students on the basis of performance ability and commitment, although financial need is also a consideration.

The George K. Goulding Memorial Award is governed by no special restrictions and is hereby eligible to whomever the Music Department faculty chooses.

The Eliza Smart Shepardson Award is awarded based on merit to a female student active in the Department of Music.

The Gayle Ingraham Smith Award is awarded annually based on merit to students majoring in violin or piano.

The Stephen D. Tuttle Memorial Award honors a distinguished alumnus from the class of 1929. It is awarded based on need to a “worthy music student upon recommendation of The Department of Music.”

The Gwendolyn C. Martin Award goes to students in the arts with preference given to students in music who have financial need.

The Frank J. Bellino Prize is given to the most outstanding graduating senior string player.

The Elliot D. Borishansky Prize is given to the most outstanding graduating senior composer.

The Keith Boone Prize goes to a graduating senior for outstanding contributions to the Music Department and the Fine Arts.

The Tom Carroll Prize goes to the most promising senior in the Jazz area.

The Marjorie Chan Prize is given to a graduating senior for outstanding contributions to the Music Department.

The Sam Gelfer Music Prize is given to one or more students, preferably to players of stringed instruments, provided they have demonstrated excellence in music and have contributed through their music to the University and the community.

Mr. Gelfer, a violinist and conductor, was a member of the faculty from 1925 until 1960.

The George R. Hunter Prize goes to the most outstanding graduating senior wind or brass player.

The Arthur Judson Prize in Music is awarded annually to a graduating senior for general achievement while at Denison with preference given to those students choosing or planning a career in music management or music administration.

Mr. Judson was Director of the Conservatory of Music at Denison in the early years of the 19th century prior to his prominent career as manager of orchestras in both Philadelphia and New York and then as impresario inon charge of his own New York-based concert agency, presenting a whole array of famous performers.

The Fannie Judson Farrar Memorial Music Prize is given to the most promising and worthy student in piano.

The prize marks the memory of Fannie Judson Farrar, who taught piano at Denison from 1904 to 1937.

The Music Department Bluegrass Award is given to the most outstanding student in the Bluegrass Program.

The William Osborne Prize goes to the most outstanding graduating senior choral singer.

Dr. William N. Osborne came to Denison in 1961 as a faculty member in the Department of Music. Later, he was named Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts, the position he held when he retired in 2003.