The Recording Industry's Music Performance Trust Fund Announces $181,500 Disbursed in Music-Related Academic Scholarships To Students Throughout North America
The Recording Industry's Music Performance Trust Fund Announces $181,500 Disbursed in Music-Related Academic Scholarships To Students Throughout North America
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / September 8, 2026 / The Music Performance Trust Fund awarded $181,500 in scholarships to 135 students through its Music Family and Music's Future scholarship programs this year.
The organization established its Music Family Scholarship to encourage the children of American Federation of Musician (AFM) members to pursue higher education and become leaders in their chosen fields. This year, the 104 recipients of this scholarship represent 51 local unions throughout North America and are majoring in a wide range of academic fields besides music and performing arts, including early childhood education, advertising, physics, nutrition, and biomedical science, among many others.
Representing the next generation of musicians and music advocates across the United States and Canada, these students are pursuing their education while carrying forward a shared connection to the professional music community. Through these scholarships, MPTF's commitment to investing in the students, families and future professionals who will shape what comes next.
"As someone striving to make a change in the music industry and continue the legacy that my parents have created for me, I am truly grateful for this scholarship and the American Federation of Musicians," statedKai Wright, child of an AFM Local 47 member and recipient of a Music Family Scholarship. "Thank you for helping me take this next step."
The Music's Future Scholarship is providing support this year to 31 individuals pursuing degrees in music performance, therapy, education, or conducting. Recipients range from students entering their first year of college to those pursuing graduate degrees, all who intend to continue actively making and sharing music in their professional lives. This year, recipients authored essays describing obstacles, lessons learned or time capsule items they have encountered in their pursuit of livelihoods generated from active participation in music.
"Empowering so many deserving students with scholarships is a true privilege," said MPTF Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications. "We are proud to support these scholars as they pursue their higher education goals."
Primarily funded by four major record companies, including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Walt Disney Records, the MPTF plays a vital role in support of music's gig economy. The organization has distributed millions of dollars in financial resources and grants, engaging professional musicians that are members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) to perform live in admission-free events across North America. Since its founding in 1948, the organization has distributed more than $635 million (USD) in sponsorship money.
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About the MPTF: The recording industry's Music Performance Trust Fund is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit public service organization whose mission is to support admission-free, live events performed by professional musicians throughout the United States and Canada. We seek to enrich the lives of the public, young and old, through music, and to contribute to the public's knowledge and appreciation of music. We seek to make music and music education an exciting experience, and to expand it to every child's life experience. Recording companies including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group established the MPTF more than 75 years ago. Interested parties may contact Vice President of Grant Management Samantha Ramos at [email protected], or visit www.musicpf.org.
SOURCE: Music Performance Trust Fund