Scholarships

Charlotte Folk Society is providing three scholarships to The Swannanoa Gathering in partnership with Warren Wilson College. The scholarships cover tuition ($625) provided by CFS, and room and board ($540) provided by Warren Wilson College, for a total scholarship of $1,165 to each recipient. Scholarship winners are responsible for their own transportation to and from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. Complete class schedules and other information are online: www.swangathering.com. These scholarships are a one-time award to The Swannanoa Gathering for any of the 2025 workshops.

• Youth Scholarship applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 21 (as of January 19, 2025). Students under the age of 16 must come to the Swannanoa Gathering with an adult chaperone
• Adult Scholarship applicants must be 21 or older (as of January 19, 2025)
• All applicants must be a current member of Charlotte Folk Society
• These scholarships are a one-time award to students of acoustic music, either instrumental or vocal, who are performing at the intermediate or advanced level. Previous youth winners are eligible again after the age of 21
• Charlotte Folk Society staff members, members of the Board of Directors, and any immediate family members of these groups, are not eligible to receive these scholarships
• Audition judges, their students, and their immediate family members are not eligible to receive these scholarships
• Applications are accepted and auditions and interviews are conducted without regard to religion, sex, ethnic background, economic status, orphysical challenges

Application Process

• Be a member of Charlotte Folk Society
• Apply using this online form (preferred method). Or if needed, request applicant material via email at cltfolktech@gmail.com.
• Write a letter describing your interest in acoustic music, reasons why you would like to receive the scholarship, and ways you hope to benefit from attending The Swannanoa Gathering; supporting materials are accepted but not required (examples: letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor, brief history of music involvement, etc.)
• Complete the liability release form (signature of a parent or guardian is required for applicants younger than age 18 to indicate permission and release of liability)
• Submit completed application materials no later than January 19, 2025; applicants will receive confirmation by email once a completed application is received. Applications received after January 19, 2025 will not be accepted.
• Attend an interview/audition on Sunday, January 26th, 2025 from 2-5pm at
  St. Martins Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC
  • Assigned interview times will begin at 2:00 PM. Applicants will be emailed their assigned time
  • Location: St Martins Episcopal Church,1510 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
  • No exceptions are made to the time and place of auditions and interviews
  • Each interview & audition is limited to 5 minutes and may include 1 or 2 songs
  • Applicants may have one accompanist join them during their audition

Scholarship winners will be announced at the conclusion of auditions.

Scholarship winners will be asked to participate Charlotte Folk Society Festival following their participation in The Swannanoa Gathering.