The National Repertory Orchestra invites Summit County youth, grades 6-12, to apply for a music lesson scholarship for the coming school year.

The scholarship provides up to $30 per week for private music instruction from October 6, 2025, until May 22, 2026, to middle and high school students for various instruments. Students must reside in the county or a neighboring community and must know basic skills on an instrument or be enrolled in a music program or activity. Students must also have access to the instrument they wish to study.

The National Repertory Orchestra aims, according to their website, to help provide equitable access to music instruction as well as support local musicians and music educators through the Summit County Music Lesson Scholarship. Dave DePeters, CEO of the National Repertory Orchestra, says on their website, “SCMLS is the first phase in using music as a tool to support the great work our schools and parents are already doing throughout the community. The NRO’s DNA has always been education, and this program is the next natural step in our evolution.”

While the application encourages students to include the name of their music teacher and/or institution, the National Repertory Orchestra will help students who wish to study but have not yet found a teacher. These applicants should, according to DePeters, communicate what level of study they have reached and then organizers will try to connect them with a local music teacher.

Last year the scholarship provided aid to 15 students, said Kelly Sanders, director of administration and community Relations for the NRO. They usually have more applicants than grants, Sanders added encouraging families to apply as soon as they are able.

Funding for the scholarship comes from The Summit Foundation and other community members who support the National Repertory Orchestra.

The music lesson scholarship application is available on the NRO’s website: https://www.nromusic.org/community-engagement/music-lesson-scholarships/. Applications will be accepted until lessons are filled. All applications are due by September 9.