Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Bleeding Fingers Music have partnered to announce the Screen Scoring Diversity Scholarship for black composition students within the Screen Scoring Master’s Program at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.
As part of Sony Music Group’s Social Justice Fund efforts, the program aims to providing equal access to opportunities and resources for Black composers as the scholarship will cover the entire cost of USC Thornton’s Screen Scoring Master’s program, including tuition, housing and meals, application fee reimbursement, equipment, applicable relocation costs, and software purchases. Additionally, apprenticeship opportunities will be presented at Bleeding Fingers Music. Hans Zimmer, composer and co-founder of the company said,
“There are many barriers to becoming a composer, not least is the expense of studying at a top school – we want to break down this wall and find some truly gifted individuals that will become role models of the future.”
Also speaking about the launch, Sony/ATV chairman and CEO Jon Platt stated,
“We are proud to partner with Bleeding Fingers and USC Thornton to establish this scholarship as we work to break down barriers for Black composers. We look forward to bringing a wide range of new, creative voices to the film and scoring community, and throughout the music industry.”
The submission deadline for the 2021-22 academic year is December 1, 2020. Eligible applicants will be automatically considered for the scholarship. All applicants must possess an undergraduate degree and will be assessed based on their academic standing and musical skills. If the undergraduate degree is not in music composition or screen scoring, equivalent professional experience will be considered. To learn more about the program click here.
