The Scholarship Scoop

Mark your calendars. This contest runs from October 6, 2025, to April 20, 2026! Awarded funds go straight to Southern Utah University to cover tuition and education expenses. And since the spotlight is big enough to share, we’re spreading the love to two winners.

• The winning submission scores $20K to SUU plus the opportunity to perform as an opener for a major Utah artist in 2026.
• The runner-up walks away with $10K to SUU! Pretty sweet trade for doing what you already love.

Entry Is Easy. Here’s How It Works!

1. Film it fresh. Record a brand-new, two-minute musical performance of you showing off your sound.* Sing, shred, strum, spit bars, mix beats. Whatever your thing is, bring it! Feel free to bring backup—accompaniment, a band, whatever fits your style—but you should be clearly recognizable as the star of the show.
   *Your submission should be a live performance recorded specifically for this scholarship (no reposting old uploads and no music videos). Limit editing to simple cuts.
2. Tell us who you are. Start your video off by saying, “This is my submission for the Utah First Music Scholarship,” followed by a brief introduction. We wanna know your name, goals, music dreams, the whole deal. Spill the tea! But limit the total run time on your vid to three minutes (that’s about one min for the intro and two for the music).
3. Post it where the world scrolls. Post your video publicly on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
4. Tag it so we can see it. Tag Utah First Credit Union in your video description and use the hashtags: #UtahFirstMusicScholarship + #SUUmusic.
5. Submit it. Drop the link to your video in the entry form below. You will need a parent/guardian nearby to fill out part of the form if you’re under 18.
6. Get noticed. Let the internet do its thing! We’ll pick 10 finalists — five fan favorites, five based on raw talent.
   • Fan favorites: videos with the most engagement (likes, shares, comments).
   • Talent picks: hand-picked for talent, originality, and potential.
7. Impress the celebs. A judging panel (Utah leadership, SUU faculty, local artists, and influencers) will crown the winners! They’ll be looking at:
   • Tone Production: fullness, richness, control, nuance
   • Technical Ability: accuracy in notes, rhythms, dynamics, and articulations
   • Expressiveness: emotion, musical gestures, phrasing
   • Interpretation: originality, personal voice, style
   • Performance Presence: engagement, confidence, audience impact
8. Claim your spotlight. Scholarship funds go straight to SUU to cover tuition, housing, books, or other approved expenses. All you have to do is enroll as a music major for Fall 2026.

Who Gets the Mic?

This scholarship is for new kids on the block. Here’s who we’re looking for!

Age check: Must be 16+ to enter.

Student status: Freshmen and transfer students able to attend SUU’s music program in Fall 2026.

Heads up: Current SUU music students can’t apply, but they can cheer with us from the audience!

Send Us Your Submission

This is where you come to throw your hat in the ring! Fill out the form below, drop your video link, and if you’re under 18, have a parent or guardian sign off. Easy peasy!