Issue link: http://saihq.uberflip.com/i/1547056
48 Fall 2026 | sai-national.org WOMEN BAND DIRECTORS INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS WBDI scholarships are given annually to women enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate instrumental music program, with the intent of becoming a band director. The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors. APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2026 WEBSITE: www.womenbanddirectors.org/scholarships IAWM PAULINE ALDERMAN AWARDS The International Alliance for Women in Music grants the Pauline Alderman Awards every two years, for outstanding scholarship on women in music in three categories: a book-length monograph about women in music, in any academic format; a journal article or essay dealing with an aspect of women in music; and a bibliographic study, research tool, or reference work about women in music. The grants are open to any individual or organization with current membership of IAWM. APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 15, 2026 WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/4dTDDau NATS ART SONG COMPETITION AWARD The National Association of Teachers of Singing celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and auditions designed to showcase the talented singers, performers and composers who are the rising stars in the profession. The purpose of the Art Song Competition Award is "to stimulate the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer." APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2026 APPLICATION FEE: $45 professional/$30 student WEBSITE: www.nats.org/art-song-composition.html AMERICAN STRING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE ASTA's annual National Conference is the premiere gathering of string educators in the United States, offering opportunities to connect with the community of educators, earn professional development hours in sessions tailored to string teachers of all types, attend engaging keynotes from leaders in the field, attend performances and clinics of the National Orchestra Festival, and network with industry manufacturers, insurance providers, publishers, institutions, and other exhibitors. This year's theme is "Orchestrating Opportunity: Teaching that Inspires." LOCATION: Chicago, IL CONFERENCE DATES: February 24–27, 2027 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 20, 2026 WEBSITE: www.astastrings.org/site/2027-national-conference MARGARET BLACKBURN BIENNIAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION A $1000 grand prize will be awarded to the female student composer who submits the winning musical composition in the 2027 Biennial Blackburn Memorial Composition Competition. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college, university or graduate music program for the 2026–27 academic year. Compositions should be for a small ensemble of no less than two instruments, which may include voice, and no more than twelve instruments including voice. Works for instruments and electronic sounds, digital media, CD, interactive compositions or works for electronic sounds alone can be included. No published scores will be accepted. The 2027 deadline for submissions is April 30, 2027. An entry fee of $35 (USD) is required. Membership in Sigma Alpha Iota is not required. Only one submission per person is allowed. DEADLINE: April 30, 2027 WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/blackburncomp CONTACT: saipittsburghalumnae@gmail.com. Please include "Blackburn" in the subject. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S BRASS CONFERENCE The International Women's Brass Conference is a time to celebrate music and build a community in support of women and gender-marginalized brass musicians. The Conference will bring together everything you love about an IWBC from the inclusive atmosphere, incredible performances, enriching presentations, and competitions for all with new and exciting events highlighting the talent of rising student stars in the brass world and celebrating the rich history of musicianship in this area of the country. LOCATION: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro CONFERENCE DATES: June 9–12, 2027 WEBSITE: https://conference.myiwbc.org NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) offers more than $750,000 in competition and award prizes on the local, state and national level. The Biennial Young Artist and Ellis Duo-Pianists competitions award a total of $92,000 in awards and two years of performance bookings. Additional competitions are sponsored by the Federation in a wide range of categories, including voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, conducting, handicapped and visually impaired, and music therapy. NFMC also sponsors more than 38 annual and biennial awards for students desiring to attend the 20 sponsored Summer Music Centers. WEBSITE: www.nfmc-music.org/competitions-awards SAI SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS Many opportunities are available every year to members of Sigma Alpha Iota through SAI Philanthropies, Inc. WEBSITE: bit.ly/saiphilsga OPPORTUNITIES