Grant Award Information and Application
The Nora Candey Memorial Songwriting Grant was established after Nora’s passing in 2020. This grant exists to encourage songwriters of all levels. Distributed funds are intended for in-person or online classes, lessons, workshops, books, etc., to develop music and lyric writing.
Think you don’t have anything to say? You’re mistaken. Joe Newberry, an acclaimed songwriter, and advisor on this grant, sometimes starts his writing workshop by asking attendees to write down what they did the previous day. In that, a seed often emerges. It might be a phrase, an emotion, an image, or simply a word.
Music assimilates the experience of its audience if it is to remain vital and evolve. It keeps the timeless themes relatable even as the symbols and sensibilities that gave rise to the music fall further away from our daily lives.
Songwriting breaks hearts, builds worlds, empowers, and seeks the truth. If you have tried it, want to but aren’t sure where to start, or are already creating songs, this grant is for you. To create something that would never have existed if not for you is something to take pride in, even if no one ever knows.
Nora Candey was a song writer, multi-instrumentalist, fiber artist, and active member of the OBA. Its purpose and its people meant a great deal to her. This community changed her life. Finding a voice as a songwriter might change yours just a little bit too.
You can hear some of Nora’s music at noracandey.bandcamp.com for free. Any proceeds since her passing go to further this grant.
Past Recipient List
2024
No Applicants
2023
Megan Alder is a vocal powerhouse performing upbeat swing and Americana music. She delivers her original songs with raw grit and soul. She performs as a solo artist with live loops and kazoo flare. Her latest EP, Dark Side, features four original songs recorded live in Parkdale, OR, available on all platforms.
Megan will use the generous funds from the Nora Candy Songwriting Grant to attend her first songwriting workshop.
Rachel Harrington is a singer-songwriter with five full-length studio albums to date and 4-star reviews from Mojo, Q, Uncut, Utne Reader, The Irish Times, and others. Rachel’s been a finalist in several songwriting contests including Merlefest.
Rachel will use the Nora Candey Songwriting Grant to attend the 2023 Rocky Mountain Song School from Planet Bluegrass under the tutelage of longtime Berklee College of Music songwriting professor, Pat Pattison.
Funding & Donations
If you would like to donate to one of the grants, you can do so through a secure Paypal link here. Select the Grant you wish to support from the drop-down menu. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check or money order to
Oregon Bluegrass Association, c/o (Grant preference), P.O. Box 1115, Portland, Oregon, 97207
Resources supporting the Grants include: OBA general account funds, donations from the Oregon bluegrass community, and potentially grants from various other organizations. OBA’s goal is to receive enough support so that the principal balance remains intact in perpetuity and regular earnings support annual grant awards.
Until that point is achieved, OBA will strive to maintain financial resources to award funds deemed sufficient for recipients. Grant awards may vary in amount and may be awarded to one or more recipients. OBA’s Committee will review applications and recommend award recipient(s) and amount(s) to the OBA Board of Directors for final approval. The OBA aims to present the award annually at the Annual Meeting in April.