Percussion Instruments

A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater (including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles); struck, scraped or rubbed by hand; or struck against another similar instrument. The percussion family is believed to include the oldest musical instruments, following the human voice.

The percussion section of an orchestra most commonly contains instruments such as timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle and tambourine. However, the section can also contain non-percussive instruments, such as whistles and sirens, or a blown conch shell. Percussive techniques can also be applied to the human body, as in body percussion. On the other hand, keyboard instruments, such as the celesta, are not normally part of the percussion section, but keyboard percussion instruments such as the glockenspiel and xylophone (which do not have piano keyboards) are included.

Percussion instruments are most commonly divided into two classes: Pitched percussion instruments, which produce notes with an identifiable pitch, and unpitched percussion instruments, which produce notes or sounds without an identifiable pitch.

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Matching Percussion Instruments Colleges

Roosevelt University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $31,493 average out-state tuition; $31,493 average in-state tuition

Los Angeles College of Music

Four or more years; Private for profit; $24,450 average out-state tuition; $24,450 average in-state tuition

McNally Smith College of Music

Four or more years; Private for profit; $28,400 average out-state tuition; $28,400 average in-state tuition

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $49,300 average out-state tuition; $49,300 average in-state tuition

The Juilliard School

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $51,230 average out-state tuition; $51,230 average in-state tuition

Rice University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $52,070 average out-state tuition; $52,070 average in-state tuition

Manhattan School of Music

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $49,850 average out-state tuition; $49,850 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Percussion Instruments Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Arts and Music Scholarship - Rhodes College

Rhodes College

Up to $12,500 February 15, 2026 See Details

Description

The Arts and Music Scholarship is available to entering freshmen at Rhodes College. You must plan to major or minor in art, music, or theatre to be eligible for this award. Music and theatre applicants must audition and art applicants must submit slides.

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Arts and Music Scholarship - Rhodes College

Rhodes College

award

Up to $12,500

deadline

February 15, 2026
See Details

Description

The Arts and Music Scholarship is available to entering freshmen at Rhodes College. You must plan to major or minor in art, music, or theatre to be eligible for this award. Music and theatre applicants must audition and art applicants must submit slides.

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Thomas Mishler Music Scholarship

New Mexico Highlands University

$8,671 September 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The Thomas Mishler Music Scholarship is available to full - time students at New Mexico Highlands University. You must be a music major with at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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Thomas Mishler Music Scholarship

New Mexico Highlands University

award

$8,671

deadline

September 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The Thomas Mishler Music Scholarship is available to full - time students at New Mexico Highlands University. You must be a music major with at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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Nick and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

Up to $6,500 November 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The Nick and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship is available to students of Italian extraction who plan to major in music or education. You must plan to enroll in an accredited college or university, reside in Illinois, and have a strong academic background to be eligible for this award. Preference will be given to students who have been...

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Nick and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

award

Up to $6,500

deadline

November 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The Nick and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship is available to students of Italian extraction who plan to major in music or education. You must plan to enroll in an accredited college or university, reside in Illinois, and have a strong academic background to be eligible for this award. Preference will be given to students who have been...

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Music Scholarship - Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose University

Up to $6,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Music Scholarship is available to students studying music at Saint Ambrose University and participating in an ensemble. An audition is required.

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Music Scholarship - Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose University

award

Up to $6,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Music Scholarship is available to students studying music at Saint Ambrose University and participating in an ensemble. An audition is required.

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Forever Miss America Scholarship

Miss America Pageant

$5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Forever Miss America Scholarship is available to women who are contestants at the state level in the Miss America competition. You must be working towards a career in the arts or entertainment industry to be considered for this award.

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Forever Miss America Scholarship

Miss America Pageant

award

$5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Forever Miss America Scholarship is available to women who are contestants at the state level in the Miss America competition. You must be working towards a career in the arts or entertainment industry to be considered for this award.

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Musicians Foundation Drum Scholarship

Musicians Institute

$5,000 August 29, 2025 See Details

Description

The Musicians Foundation Drum Scholarship is open to students at the Musicians Institute enrolled in the performance drum program. To be considered for this award, you must demonstrate outstanding musicianship and expertise on the instrument in any musical style or combination of styles. You must also submit a video showcasing your talent.

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Musicians Foundation Drum Scholarship

Musicians Institute

award

$5,000

deadline

August 29, 2025
See Details

Description

The Musicians Foundation Drum Scholarship is open to students at the Musicians Institute enrolled in the performance drum program. To be considered for this award, you must demonstrate outstanding musicianship and expertise on the instrument in any musical style or combination of styles. You must also submit a video showcasing your talent.

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Music Scholarship - Augustana College

Augustana College

Up to $4,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Music Scholarship is available to students at Augustana College. You must participate in an audition to be considered for this award.

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Music Scholarship - Augustana College

Augustana College

award

Up to $4,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Music Scholarship is available to students at Augustana College. You must participate in an audition to be considered for this award.

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Marching Band Scholarship

Texas Christian University

$3,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Marching Band Scholarship is available to some members of the Horned Frog Band. Awards are renewable upon recommendation of the Band Director and maintenance of satisfactory academic progress.

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Marching Band Scholarship

Texas Christian University

award

$3,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Marching Band Scholarship is available to some members of the Horned Frog Band. Awards are renewable upon recommendation of the Band Director and maintenance of satisfactory academic progress.

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Harriet Vigersky Music Scholarship

New Jersey City University

$3,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Harriet Vigersky Music Scholarship is available to full-time graduate students majoring in music at New Jersey City University.

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Harriet Vigersky Music Scholarship

New Jersey City University

award

$3,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Harriet Vigersky Music Scholarship is available to full-time graduate students majoring in music at New Jersey City University.

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Charles and Margenette A. Hinnant Music Scholarship

University of Mount Olive

Up to $3,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Charles and Margenette A. Hinnant Music Scholarship is available to students at the University of Mount Olive. You must demonstrate outstanding talent, academic ability, and good character to be eligible for this award. An audition is required.

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Charles and Margenette A. Hinnant Music Scholarship

University of Mount Olive

award

Up to $3,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Charles and Margenette A. Hinnant Music Scholarship is available to students at the University of Mount Olive. You must demonstrate outstanding talent, academic ability, and good character to be eligible for this award. An audition is required.

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