What does it cost?
Aldeburgh Young Musicians is supported by the Department for Education (DfE). Through the DfE, financial assistance may be available through the National Grants Scheme.
The grants, up to a maximum of £3,577 (2010), are based on relevant income and are means tested. Surplus grant money can be put towards other music expenses, such as individual tuition fees.
Please contact us for more information about bursaries and fees, or see below for details of further funding sources. It is our aim to accommodate all young musicians of exceptional talent, regardless of their ability to pay.
Funding Sources
Below are details of further funding sources that Aldeburgh Young Musicians may be able to access. This is not an exhaustive list and you may want to carry out your own research. A good place to start is the Musicians Benevolent Fund, which supplies advice on funding opportunities through its online funding wizard. It is also worth exploring charitable Trusts and Foundations. Information can be found in your local library or online, for example at www.charitiesdirect.com. You may also wish to approach your local school as some maintain their own trusts.
AWARDS FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
Awards for Young Musicians support outstanding young instrumentalists making music in any genre. Awards of between £200 and £2,000 are made annually to outstanding young instrumentalists between the ages of 5 and 18, towards the cost of music tuition and for instrument purchase/hire.
Applicants must provide evidence that they have reached distinction level in their last music exam, a reference from a music teacher, and evidence of financial need. Application forms are available from September each year for costs occurring in the following financial year; the closing date for applications is usually around March or April and awards are made in May.
Contact: Hester Cockcroft (Director)
Awards for Young Musicians, PO Box 2754, Bristol BS4 9DA
Tel: 0117 9049906, website
MISS E B WRIGHTSON'S CHARITABLE TRUST
Miss E B Wrightson had a passionate belief in encouraging and promoting talent amongst young musicians and for recreational charitable objects. Priority is given to those showing promise and commitment in financially and/or socially difficult circumstances, aged between 8 and 18. Scales of assistance vary according to circumstances and requirement. To date, distributions have ranged between £100 and £1,500. Grants can be made either as 'one-offs' or reviewable annually for a specified period of time. The Trustees normally consider applications quarterly, and applications should be made in writing.
Contact: Mrs Norah Hickman
Swangles Farm, Cold Christmas, Herts SG12 7SP
HATTORI FOUNDATION
Instrumental soloists between the ages of 15 and 20 who are resident in the UK may apply for a junior award at any time of the year. Applicants must have demonstrated both exceptional talent and achievement, and can receive financial assistance towards travelling expenses to attend competitions, masterclasses and specific assistance in the case of hardship.
Hattori Foundation, 7 Exton Street, London SE1 8UE
Tel. 0207 620 3053, website
THE MUSIC FOUNDATION
The Music Foundation is a private grant making and funding organisation. The Foundation is focused on the specific needs of young solo musicians. In particular, the Music Foundation provides funding for suitable instruments, tuition, travel, accommodation, education, materials and concerts. The Music Foundation has a strong preference for British applicants under the age of 18, who can demonstrate exceptional musicianship and instrumental ability. The applicants must demonstrate that they are in a recognised education programme, and must show that they do not have the financial resources to achieve their objective nor can they access alternative financial support from the government, local authorities, or other independent funding institutions.
The Music Foundation
Arbuthnot House, 20 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AR
Tel. 0207 012 2500, website
MBF YOUNG TALENT AWARDS
The MBF Young Talent Awards are an important source of funding for instrumentalists and are made to those with a high level of musical achievement where there is financial need.
Awards are offered to those who will be under 18 years of age on 1 September in the year of application towards one of the following: 1) the cost of buying an instrument, 2) music lessons with a private teacher, 3) fees for a Saturday music centre, or 4) travel expenses to attend a Saturday music centre.
Awards are also offered to those who are aged 18 and about to enter their first year at university or college. Applications from 18 year olds can only be made for instrument purchase. Applicants should be British or Irish or have been resident in the UK or Ireland for at least 3 years on the closing date of Friday 12 June 2009.
Contact: Susan Dolton, Director of Education and Professional Development
MBF Young Talent Awards, 7-11 Britannia Street, London WC1X 9JS
Tel. 0207 239 9100, website
AYM Exchanging Worlds Ensemble
The Aldeburgh World Orchestra Project
The AWO project brings emerging professional musicians from all over the world to Suffolk; to inspire, engage and perform; raising ambition and celebrating talent on a local to international level, as part of the London Cultural Olympiad in 2012
AYM Exchanging Worlds Ensemble
As part of Exchanging Worlds we will also establish a creative performance ensemble made up of exceptional young musical talent (under 18's) through Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM). This commissioning ensemble will be cross cultural and cross genre in content. Through collaborative working and the exchange of global musical conversations, new works will be created for performance at Snape Maltings and regional touring.
Alongside the ensemble AYM Composers will compose a fanfare for members of Aldeburgh World Orchestra, experiment with remote interactivity and take advantage of AWO mentoring opportunities. Finally, two young musicians will join AWO.
Exchanging worlds has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK.