"B-Girl Be Hip-Hop Diploma Scholarship" Announced at McNally Smith College of Music
ST. PAUL, MINN., — September 21, 2009 — The first music college in the country to offer a diploma in Hip-Hop is looking for more B-girls to join its ranks. To help recognize the contributions women have made in Hip-Hop, McNally Smith College of Music has just announced a new three-semester scholarship program called "B-Girl Be Hip-Hop Diploma Scholarship" to cultivate the next great female practitioners and other related recording, production and business professionals of the popular worldwide music form. Applications can be made at the college from September 19 until December 11, 2009 (see details below).
The "B-Girl Be Scholarship" is available to young women performers and non-performers, and will allow a student to receive half tuition (a $15,000 value) free of charge.  Scholarship review panelists will include representatives from B-Girl Be, Intermedia Arts, and McNally Smith College of Music.  The scholarship winner will also have to meet McNally Smith College of Music admissions requirements.
Toki Wright, coordinator of the music school's Hip-Hop studies program — and an outstanding emcee, poet, community organizer and recording artist for Rhymesayers Entertainment — lauded the scholarship decision, saying it will validate even more the work of women in the genre.
"Often in the media, the many rewarding aspects and innovations of women in Hip-Hop are overshadowed by their male counterparts," Wright says. "The 'B-Girl Be Scholarship acknowledges that women's contributions are important and essential to sustaining and expanding Hip-Hop culture. The work of MC Lyte, Tricia Rose, Queen Latifah, and countless industry representatives demonstrate the power, talent and tenacity it takes to make it in the culture and business of Hip-Hop. "
McNally Smith College of Music's Hip-Hop Diploma program, dedicated to Hip Hop Studies http://www.mcnallysmith.edu/academics/hiphop.aspx,
got underway this year with 14 Students who will make up the music school's first Hip-Hop Class of 2010.  The leading program in the country is designed for students who want to explore and develop in a cross-departmental curriculum that covers music, recording technology, language, music history, and music business.
B-Girl Be Scholarship Details
When to Apply:
September 19th 2009-December 11th 2009
Essays must be received by 12 noon on December 11th
Submit:
·         2 page essay (typed in Times Roman 12-point font and single spaced) answering the question: "Why is it important to recognize women in Hip Hop?"
·         Performers must submit 3.5 minutes audio or visual piece for submission (you need not be a performer to apply for this scholarship.  Address below.)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
·         Anticipate completion of high school diploma/GED at the time of application or a high school diploma/GED recipient
·         Plan to pursue a Hip Hop Diploma at McNally Smith College of Music
·         Carry a minimum 3.0 GPA at the end of their most recent academic year.  Those without a 3.0 GPA must submit an additional 1-2 page essay explanation.
Essays (and audition piece if any) must be received my 12 noon on December 11.
Send the application and essay, (and audition piece if any) to:
McNally Smith College of Music
C/O Scholarships
19 Exchange St. E
St. Paul, MN
Website Help
An overall scholarship application can be found at scholarships@mcnallysmith.edu.  Look for updates on www.mcnallysmith.edu for any updated information on this scholarship.
If you have any additional questions contact Hip Hop Diploma Program Coordinator Toki Wright at Toki.Wright@mcnallysmith.edu or 651-361-3730.
For more information about the Hip-Hop program in general, please contact Todd Walker, Director of Media Relations, McNally Smith 651-325-2390, twalker@mcnallysmith.edu, or Martin Keller at Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com
