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Sliding Scale and Young Musician Scholarship Programs
Since 1986 Blue Bear has offered scholarships to talented and dedicated
young musicians. These scholarships are supported by music businesses
and individuals with an interest in making quality music education
available to motivated youth who might not otherwise be able to fully
explore their passion. Some past scholarship winners have gone
on to successful music careers, including Howard Wiley (tenor sax phenom active in the Bay Area and national jazz scene), essence (successful Bay Area singer/songwriter) and Arion Salazar (bassist with Third Eye Blind). More recent scholarship winners are establishing themselves in emerging bands or as solo artists; see our Blue Bear Affiliated Bands and Artists page (which includes much of the incredibly varied music emerging from our Blue Bear community - students, alumni, teachers, staff and board). Other scholarship winners have become professional working musicians, and many have maintained an active and rewarding involvement with music balanced with non-music careers. Whatever the result, a Blue Bear Scholarship offers a fantastic opportunity for musical growth and development under the guidance of experienced professional musician/teachers.
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Scholarship Applications and Auditions
To apply for a Blue Bear Scholarship:
- Download the application here (pdf) or call Blue Bear at 415.673.3600
to request an application by mail.
- Complete the application as instructed in the form.
- Mail the completed application to Blue Bear,
or drop it off in person.
Scholarship auditions are usually held over several Saturdays in late April and early May. There are four parts to the audition.
- You play some technical exercises on your instrument – scales,
arpeggios, long tones, paradiddles, etc. Singers
will be led through a warm-up exercise.
- You perform two pieces in any style, whatever shows
off your skills and strengths.
- We will test your ear by playing intervals, short
melodic ideas or rhythms and having you play or sing
them back.
- You'll improvise over a 12-bar blues accompaniment. Don't
worry if you've never improvised before; we'll
help you out.
Scholarships are awarded on a variety of factors including the skill
and accomplishment you demonstrate, the talent we perceive, and your
interest and commitment to the study of music. Scholarship awards
can be used for Blue Bear classes and lessons anytime over the course
of one year beginning the summer after auditions are held.
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Keith Allen Memorial Scholarship
Keith Allen at Blue Bear
circa 1974 |
Keith Allen, an early Blue Bear teacher and Association Member, passed
away unexpectedly on January 1, 2004. He was 50 years old. According to
Bonnie Hayes (Blue Bear teacher, board member and alumna): "To say
that Keith was an incredible musician, a
precise and soulful singer, a gifted teacher, is to say things that
have been said a lot since he died. But what I think he'd
like is for me to say that he made musical situations work through generosity,
humor, and a kind of pure goodness you don't see much. Keith
was deeply, deservedly loved, and he loved well. And he played
well. What's better than that?"
Cory Broad |
Through a generous donation from Ned and Robin Selfe, also members
of the Blue Bear community in the '70s, Charles Felsenthal, and Thomas and Patricia Allen, Blue Bear has instituted
a Keith Allen Memorial Scholarship for a promising young
guitarist.
The Keith Allen Memorial Scholarship winner for 2008 is Cory Broad, age 12. Cory's musical tastes include classic artists like Dylan, Hendrix, Springsteen and BB King as well as Green Day and The Killers. In addition to being active in Blue Bear Summer Camps and playing with his school rock band, Cory also plays trumpet with his school's classical and jazz bands and sings in the school choir. But playing guitar is his favorite activity, and he appreciates both great guitar playing and great songwriting. Other fine young guitarists who are being supported by the Keith Allen Scholarship Fund are Julian Diamond and Ian McQueen.
Donations to the Keith Allen Memorial Scholarship can be made on our Donations page.
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Chris Tallman/Matthew Chase Music Fund
 Chris Tallman, who recorded and performed under his stage name Matthew Chase, was an avid and accomplished San Francisco singer/songwriter and guitarist who sadly died in April off the coast of South Africa when his boat was hit by a freak wave. To honor the life of her husband, Sarah Tallman sought to establish a memorial fund that would benefit a music-based organization. With her blessing and involvement, Blue Bear developed the Chris Tallman/Matthew Chase Music Fund, which supports our youth music education programs.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the Chris Tallman/Matthew Chase Music Fund, go to our online donation form and select "The Chris Tallman/Matthew Chase Music Fund" in the "Purpose" section of the form. Bank of America provides a dollar-for-dollar match from any contributions made by employees who have been with the bank for a year or more.
Your generous support honors Chris's life and music, and helps further grow Blue Bear's important youth music education programs.
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Sliding
Scale Support
As part of our Scholarship Program, Blue Bear provides significant savings to students from families with financial need through our generous sliding scale tuition program. The amount of support
you receive is based on your gross income from
your tax return. Sliding scale support is
available on a first-come, first-served basis,
and is not limited to the 12 to 25 age group. Consult
the chart below to see if you qualify. If
you do, then bring a copy of page one
of your prior year tax return to the school when
paying your tuition.
Please note: sliding scale applicants cannot be listed as a
dependent on another person's tax return.
Sliding Scale Discount (per quarter)
| # in Family |
1 in Family |
2 in Family |
3 in Family |
| Gross Income (based on prior year's tax return)* |
| A |
$25,000 |
30% off classes
and lessons |
|
|
| B |
$30,000 |
25% off classes,
30% off lessons |
30% off classes
and lessons |
|
| C |
$35,000 |
20% off classes,
25% off lessons |
25% off classes,
30% off lessons |
30% off classes
and lessons |
| D |
$40,000 |
20% off lessons |
20% off classes,
25% off lessons |
25% off classes,
30% off lessons |
| E |
$45,000 |
|
20% off lessons |
20% off classes,
25% off lessons |
| F |
$50,000 |
|
|
20% off lessons |
| G |
$55,000 |
|
|
|
| H |
$60,000 |
|
|
|
* Note: GROSS income, not ADJUSTED GROSS
** No ten-lesson discounts, applies to one- or four-lesson rates only
(more info)
Sliding Scale Tuition for Summer Camps
* Note: GROSS income, not ADJUSTED GROSS
Sliding Scale Discount for Little Bears
* Note: GROSS income, not ADJUSTED GROSS
Blue Bear School of Music does not discriminate according
to race, color, or national or ethnic origin. Blue
Bear School of Music operates at Fort Mason Center
in cooperation with the Fort Mason Foundation and
the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
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