Talent Bank Awards Festival (TBAF) is a merit scholarship program representing our oldest continuous project, and is funded by donations and endowments. Students have an opportunity to perform before professional musicians for adjudication and written evaluations. Scholarships totaling about $3,000 are awarded to students with highest scores. The event is open to the public at no charge.

The Festival concludes with the Barbara Call Memorial Recital, featuring top scoring winners, and a final awards ceremony. All participants are expected to attend. SCCMTAC dress code is in effect for the day.

This merit scholarship program has been an encouragement to Santa Cruz County music students since 1970. Member teachers, students and friends have over the ensuing years raised thousands of dollars for these awards. Primary funding in recent years has been through the efforts of Celebrate Piano Ensemble. Their annual piano extravaganza in February features piano ensemble music performed by member teachers and friends.

Teacher instructions for student registration:

Student registration and repertoire submission forms are available online via the links below. Registration forms and repertoire submission are online only and do not need to be downloaded.

• Complete and submit one form for each solo and each chamber music entry by January 15.
• Submit the teacher summary form by January 15.
• Submit the repertoire form by February 15.

Questions? Please contact Roger Emanuels.

These annual awards go to highly motivated young students whose families cannot afford private music lessons.

Applicants must be enrolled in a Santa Cruz County school, or be home-schooled county residents, and be in grades 2 through 12 during the coming school year. Applicants must have an instrument to practice.  

The scholarships remain in effect for one school year beginning in August or September. Scholarships may be renewable on a year-to-year basis, provided funds remain available, and acceptable musical progress is being made.

Applications for scholarships for the following school year are due on April 21.

The Opportunity Grant application can be submitted online via Google Forms or downloaded and returned by email or United States Postal Service mail.  Please choose the format that is easiest for you. If you have questions or would like a paper copy mailed to you, please email opportunitygrants@sccmtac.org