From Reading Musical Foundation
The Reading Musical Foundation (RMF) awarded $139,816 in scholarships to 140 Berks County student musicians following its 2026 Merit Auditions. A total of 205 students from across the county competed in the auditions, with awards distributed to students from elementary school through college age.
The awards include college scholarship funding for students pursuing music at the post-secondary level, instrument purchase assistance, and private lesson grants — all designed to ensure that financial barriers do not stand between local students and their musical potential.
“We believe that talent is everywhere in Berks County, but opportunity is not always equally distributed. Through these awards, we’re working to change that — opening doors for students who might otherwise never have the chance to explore and develop their musical gifts,” said Keri Shultz, President and Executive Director of the Reading Musical Foundation.
“The scholarships we award today exist because of people who believe in the power of music and wanted to do something meaningful with that belief. Whether honoring a memory or celebrating a personal passion, our donors have created something that will outlast all of us — skills development for the young musicians of Berks County,” said Paul Oxholm, Board Chair of the Reading Musical Foundation.
RMF’s Merit Awards are given through professionally adjudicated auditions held each spring for students in grades 1-12 across disciplines, including piano, organ, strings, woodwinds, brass, guitar, voice, and percussion. College tuition scholarships are awarded to high school seniors planning to major in music. To be eligible, students must be residents of Berks County, and some scholarships additionally require enrollment in a Berks County school.
In addition to its Merit Awards, RMF awards Need-Sensitive scholarships quarterly to support students who wish to take private lessons, purchase a new instrument, or attend a summer music camp but lack the financial resources to do so. So far in 2026, RMF has awarded 88 need-sensitive scholarships totaling $29,250 — bringing the Foundation’s total scholarship giving in 2026 to $169,066 across 228 students.
Many of RMF’s scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors who have established named awards to honor a loved one or celebrate their own musical journey. Individuals and families interested in creating a named scholarship or supporting RMF’s programs are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly.
Founded in 1926, the Reading Musical Foundation has been advancing and advocating for music education and appreciation in Berks County for nearly 100 years. For more information about RMF’s scholarship programs or to apply, visit readingmusicalfoundation.org/scholarships.
About the Reading Musical Foundation
The Reading Musical Foundation (RMF) is a public charity founded in 1926 with a mission to advance and advocate for music education and appreciation in Berks County. RMF provides financial support for student musicians through need-sensitive and merit-based scholarships, funds music-presenting organizations through grants, and delivers outreach programming to schools and community members throughout the region. Learn more at readingmusicalfoundation.org.
