Scholarship Information

APPLICATION DEADLINE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025 @11:59 pm.

District auditions are held throughout the month of January (see dates below). Potential candidates should check with their band director and/or District Major Landers Chairperson for specific information about audition dates and guidelines for your district's audition process.

The first-place winner in each district must be available to participate in the IBA Major Landers scholarship competition at the IBA conference (Friday, May 15th, 2026).  If they are unable to participate, the district’s 2nd place winner will be asked to represent their district at the IBA Major Landers scholarship competition.

The state IBA Major Landers scholarship competition amounts are as follows:

1st Place - $2500

2nd Place - $2000

Four Finalists - $1500

In addition to the cash prize, the first-place winner of the IBA Major Landers scholarship competition will perform at the IBA banquet that Friday evening (Friday, May 16th, 2025) of the IBA conference (the winner will receive free complimentary tickets to attend this banquet). 

If you need further information, or have questions, please contact the IBA Major Landers scholarship chair at:  majorlanders@bandmasters.org.

Abigail Toussaint  

IBA Major Landers Chair

GENERAL PREPARATION AND INFORMATION:

1. The solo does not to be memorized and cannot exceed 6 minutes in length. You do not need an accompanist for the district auditions but you MUST have an accompanist for the state audition at the IBA conference.

2. Know common music terminology (tempo markings, stylistic terms, etc.). Utilize the theory test study guide, linked below.

3. Be prepared to write the following scales on any given note in treble clef or bass clef: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and/or melodic minor scales. 

4. Be prepared to write the following modes (in treble clef or bass clef) in relation to the major scale (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian). 

5. Be prepared to write diatonic triads (in treble clef or bass clef) based on any scale degree (tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading tone) for any form of scale: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and/or melodic minor).

6. Understand the transposition relative to band instruments, what keys the various instruments play in the given concert pitch, appropriate clefs and ranges for all instruments, and be able to transpose common transpositions for your own instrument. NOTE: You will be asked to transpose a simple melody for a transposing instrument (in an appropriate range for that instrument) given the concert pitch notes for the written portion of the theory test.

7. Be able to read at sight, accurately, and musically. Percussionists will be required to sight read on a keyboard instrument AND on snare drum).

8. Practice interviewing in front of others and answering questions about what music means to you, why you want to study instrumental music education, and more.

9. The applicant must plan to major in instrumental music education at an Iowa college or university with the intention of becoming a school band director.

MUSIC THEORY TEST STUDY GUIDE

DISTRICT AUDITION PROCESS:

1) Perform solo (max. 6 minutes and does not need to be accompanied)

2) Play sight-reading excerpts

3) Interview with panel of judges

4) Music Theory Test (BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP FOR ONLINE PORTION OF TEST!)

Spring Verification Form