Coastal Concerts is encouraging music high school students to apply for one of its $1,500 scholarships.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Lewes-based nonprofit will make a total of $4,500 available in the form of three scholarship grants. The annual scholarship competition is open to high school students pursuing studies in music performance, education or composition. Each $1,500 scholarship is intended to defray expenses music students will incur, including tuition, fees and travel. High school students who reside in Delaware and those in Maryland and Virginia counties on the Delmarva Peninsula are eligible to apply.

Applicants must submit a letter specifying the purpose, place and time frame in which the money will be used and outlining career plans or goals in music. Candidates are also required to provide a synopsis of their music experience, along with at least two letters of recommendation from educators or music professionals and a CD audio recording of two contrasting selections.

Complete guidelines and application forms are available at coastalconcerts.org. Information about the scholarship competition also has been provided to high school music departments, guidance counselors, administrators and principals. Applications must be postmarked no later than Jan. 29; selected candidates will be notified in February. The three scholarship recipients

will be recognized March 17 during the final performance of Coastal Concerts’ 2017-18 subscription season.

In 2014, Coastal Concerts was able to expand its scholarship program from two to three awarded scholarships because of an endowment by the Dorothy and Elizabeth Scholarship Fund, established by a local couple with the Delaware Community Foundation to honor their mothers’ appreciation of music. One of this year’s scholarships, designated for a student from Sussex County is funded by a grant from the Sussex County Council.