MPTF Awards $119,000 in Academic Scholarships in North America

The recording industry's Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), a prominent non-profit in North America, has awarded $119,000 in scholarships to 114 students for the upcoming academic year. This initiative supports students in fields such as music performance, therapy, education, and conducting.

The Music's Future scholarship reached 27 U.S. and Canadian institutions. The Music Family scholarship aided members of the American Federation of Musicians (AF-M), who are pursuing diverse studies including engineering, law, art history, and computer science.

This year's applicants submitted essays on the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GAI) on their studies and career paths. Their reflections highlighted AI's potential and limitations, emphasizing the irreplaceable human aspects of music.

Dan Beck, Trustee of MPTF, praised the essays as both enlightening and reassuring, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful engagement with technology. The scholarships form about 3% of MPTF's annual grants, with a primary focus on funding live music performances.