Scholarships are available to incoming Augsburg students who are interested in making music each academic year. These awards are open to all students, not just music majors.
Please consider supporting Augsburg music students through a contribution either to a specific scholarship fund, or make a donation directly to the music department. These funds provide a crucial financial boost for students, helping reduce debt and increase participation in the arts.
- Select “Other” in the Designation field and type in the scholarship you’d like to help fund.
- Or simply select Music Department, and notate in your Comments how you would like your donation designated.
Creative Arts Scholarship
The Creative Arts Scholarship recognizes incoming students (day only) who have a desire to participate in the arts while attending Augsburg University. This includes students who plan to major, minor, or actively participate in Augsburg’s creative arts programs—art & design, creative writing, film & new media, music, or theater. If offered this scholarship, students will receive a $3,000 per year (up to four years) tuition reduction to help fund enrollment in ensembles and private study coursework.
Confirmation and acceptance of the award requires either a live assessment or digital submission of materials demonstrating the student’s best artistic work, an in-person or virtual interview, and approval of the music faculty. Review the Performance Assessment requirements for specifics about repertoire and expectations.
Named Scholarships
Through the generous support of our donors, Augsburg is proud to offer music-related scholarships that can help both new and returning students achieve their academic goals. Check out the full list below for descriptions and requirements.
Orville and Gertrude Hognander Family Fund
The Hognander Music Scholarships were established by Orville and Gertrude (Lund) Hognander, both 1936 Augsburg graduates. As a student, Orville Hognander was the Augsburg Choir’s first business manager who launched the choir on its first tours and national radio broadcasts. Gertrude Hognander’s love of music included choral singing and her years as a church music director and organist.
The Hognander Scholarships are prestigious music scholarships at Augsburg and recognize students with exceptional music performance and academic achievement. Past Hognander Scholars now enjoy careers as jazz and film score composers, opera and music-theater performers on international stages, administrators of music nonprofits, and music teachers, among many other activities. Hognander Scholarships provide up to full tuitionto encourage and support highly qualified music students in voice and instrument. Two recipients, preferably a junior and senior, are selected each year based on a résumé, academic transcript, and performance audition.
Max David Bassinson Music Scholarship
Established in 2015 as a memorial to Max Bassinson ’16, the purpose of the Fund is to honor Max’s achievements, to share the “unparalleled joys that music brings,” and to support students studying music at Augsburg University. It will be awarded to one or more music majors based on musical talent, academic achievement, and financial need.
Max David Bassinson walked the bridge from this life to the next on March 7, 2015. Max was born on July 10, 1991 to his parents, Scott and Meg Bassinson, at Albany Medical Center, New York. He was sweet, kind, funny, smart, musical, creative, hard-working, gentlemanly, and generous. He studied classical piano from the age of five, was in the school musicals, and sang in choir. He traveled to Europe with American Music Abroad in 2008. He played baseball from the age of six and was an excellent pitcher. He graduated from Bethlehem High School in 2009.
He attended Augsburg University on a scholarship as a piano performance major, where he was also a participant in the university’s innovative Step-Up Program. Max battled substance abuse and was victorious. He had built a productive, spiritual, and happy life and was two and a half years clean and sober. In a cruel irony, he was taken suddenly in his sleep by a severe, undiagnosed heart disease.
Max loved Mary, music, animals, road trips, the beauty of nature, and life itself. He lived a life of service. He is a shining light who beamed on many lives in his short time here. As a way to honor Max’s life, his family established the Max Bassinson Music Scholarship.
Albert and Solveig Birkeland Scholarship
Established in 1993 by Dr. Birgit E. Birkeland ’58 in memory of her parents, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student of any class who is majoring in Music or Theater. The award is based upon academic achievement and financial need.
Jeroy C. and Lorraine M. Carlson Scholarship
Awarded annually to students of any class, based upon academic achievement, financial need, and service to others. Preference is given to to students studying music and students studying physical education. Established in 1991 by friends, alumni, faculty, and staff of Augsburg University in honor of Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson and in appreciation for their commitment to and expression of the highest ideals of the college.
Grace Carlsen Nelson Scholarship
Awarded to one or more students studying music with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. Preference will be given to students studying voice. Established in 2000 by Rev. LuVerne L. (Red) Nelson ’43 and family in memory of Grace ’45.
Centennial Singers Scholarship
Awarded annually to students of any class or major, based upon academic achievement and financial need. The recipients must be involved in the vocal music program of the University, with preference given to members of an Augsburg University Gospel Quartet. Established in 1996 by the Centennial Singers to help revive and maintain the evangelical tradition of the Augsburg Gospel Quartets and to foster excellence in singing songs that touch the heart and strengthen faith.
Sam Coltvet Memorial Choral Music Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of any academic class who is a choir member not majoring in music. Established in 1985 by Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Linda Holmen, in memory of Mr. Sam Coltvet, who believed in the value of Christian higher education and choral music.
Leonard and Anabelle (Hanson) Dalberg Scholarship
Established in 2001 by Leonard ’52 and Anabelle (Hanson) ’51 Dalberg, awards are given to one or more students with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement who study music, with preference given to those interested in church music, including organ and choral music.
Avis and Robert Ellingrod Endowed Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of any class who participates in the music program at the University, but is not a music major. The award is based upon academic achievement, with preference given to a science major. Established in 1996 by Mrs. Avis Ellingrod in loving memory of her husband, Robert, as an expression of appreciation for the scholarship assistance given to their daughters, Vicki ’89 and Amy ’95, when they were students at Augsburg.
Jerome and Winifred Formo Scholarship
Awarded to one or more students with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement who have an interest in choral music directing and/or who are majoring in music with a strong interest in choral music. Established in 2009 through the estate of Jerome and Winifred Formo.
Rev. Clement A. Gisselquist Church Music Scholarship
Awarded annually to a musically gifted student, with preference given to a student of organ and/or choral music who desires to serve, professionally or otherwise, in the ministry of music of the Lutheran Church. Established in 1986 by the Gisselquist family.
David Gronner Scholarship
Awarded annually to two or more students participating in athletics or music, who have demonstrated financial need and are of high Christian character. Established in 1975 by Mrs. David Gronner and children Richard, Carol, and Paul, and Mrs. Ethel Gronner in memory of David Gronner, Augsburg College alumnus.
Kay Halverson Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated, through academic program and/or extracurricular activities, interest in and talent for either music or foreign languages. Established in 1990 by Dr. and Mrs. Halverson.
Catha Jones Scholarship
Awarded annually to individuals of high moral character, with preference given to students transferring from Waldorf College who are in music and/or elementary education. Established in 1975 in memory of Catha Jones ’70, by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jones, other family members and friends, and the Augsburg University Senior Challenge Program.
Robert Karlén Chamber Music Scholarship
Established in 2001 and is awarded annually to a music student with preference given to those who demonstrate exceptional promise as a woodwind and/or brass chamber music performer.
Susan H. and Dean C. Kopperud Scholarship for Excellence in the Field of Music
Established in 1999 by the Kopperud Family, this scholarship provides personal encouragement and financial assistance to one or more students who are interested in preparing for a career in music.
Nicholas Lenz Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1993 as a tribute to Mr. Lenz, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student of any class or major who participates in the vocal music program of the University. Awards are based on musical and academic achievement.
Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s Scholarship in Choral Music
Established in 2001 in loving memory of Dorothy, who had a life-long love of Christian choral music, this scholarship provides merit awards for a President’s Scholar in recognition of exceptional choral music performance, academic achievement, and leadership in the church.
Kenneth O. Lower-Nordkap Scholarship
Awarded annually to an upper-class student majoring in music, based upon academic performance and financial need, with preference given to a male chorale student. Established in 1986 in memory of Kenneth O. Lower ’28 and in recognition of the heritage of the Nordkap Male Chorus.
Arthur Carl Mammen Scholarship
Awarded annually to a music student of any academic class or major, based upon academic achievement and financial need. Preference will be given to instrumentalists. Established in 1991 through a bequest of the late Arthur C. Mammen ’74, an accomplished instrumentalist in the San Francisco Bay area.
Pastor Red Nelson Scholarship
Awarded to one or more students with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement, preference given to students who play the tuba. Established in 2006 by Pastor LuVerne L. (Red) Nelson and family as an expression of appreciation for the education and the positive association the entire family has had with the Augsburg College community, alumnus, students, faculty and others. Red graduated from Augsburg College in 1943, continued onto Augsburg Seminary, graduating in 1946.
Lois Oberhamer Nye Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of any class with a major or minor in music, based upon academic achievement and financial need. Preference is given to a student who is preparing for a position as a church organist. Established in 1992 by Lois O. Nye ’74 through her participation in the Senior Challenge Program.
St. John’s Lutheran Church – John Norris Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1986 in memory of John Norris, this award is given to students at or above the sophomore class who are majoring in music, based upon their financial need and satisfactory academic progress.
Curtis and Marian Sampson Music Scholarship
Awarded to one or more students who study music, with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. Established in 1999 by Curtis A. and Marion Sampson to support and encourage students studying music at Augsburg University.
Leland B. Sateren Choral Music Scholarship
Established in 1984 and awarded to outstanding students who are participants in the Augsburg Choral Music Program.
Mayo Savold Memorial Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of any class or major who participates in the Augsburg Concert Band, based on musical and academic achievement. Established in 1983 as a tribute to Professor Savold and endowed in 1996 by the Department of Music to perpetuate his fine reputation and enduring accomplishments.
Marilyn Solberg Voice Scholarship
Awarded annually to an Augsburg student whose major or minor is music and who shows outstanding promise for achievement in the art of singing. Established in 1955 by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Iver Solberg, and her brother Dorvan to honor Marilyn Yvonne Solberg, member of the Augsburg choir from 1950-53.
Marolyn Sortland Halverson String Scholarship
Awarded to a student of any major who plays a violin, viola, cello, or bass in the Augsburg University Orchestra or chamber ensemble, this fund honors Marolyn Sortland Halverson ’51, who was a lifelong lover of classical and choral music. She was also a beloved wife, mother of five, grandmother of 13, and great-grandmother of two when she passed away in 2012.
Professor Roberta Stewart Kagin Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of any class who is a music therapy major, based upon financial need and scholastic achievement. Established in 1997 by Craig J. Alexander, in honor of the professional accomplishments of Professor Roberta S. Kagin.
Mary Roberts Wilson Scholarship
This fund will be awarded to one or more students with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement who are studying music and who are performing one or more of the following instruments in chamber music wind ensembles: bassoon, clarinet, flute, French horn or oboe. Preference will be given to flautists. This scholarship was started in 2016 by Merilee Klemp ’75 and Trudi Anderson ’77 in memory of Mary Roberts Wilson, an esteemed flautist, a long-time teacher of flute at Augsburg, and a pillar of the local flute community.
David R. Winsor Scholarship
This scholarship is to provide encouragement and financial assistance to one or more students pursuing a degree in Music. The award is based on academic achievement and financial need. Established in 1999 by John and Renata Winsor in memory of their son, David Winsor.
Updated on February 28, 2025.