The Countess of Munster Musical Trust
Awards
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The Trustees of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust
are prepared to consider applications for assistance in the musical education
of individual students. The Trust's principal aim is to support young
musicians, i.e. instrumentalists, singers, conductors and composers, of
exceptional ability.
- CATEGORIES
OF FUNDING AVAILABLE
1. Grants for study
2. Loans for instrument purchase
3. Stephen Oliver Award
1. GRANTS FOR STUDY
Awards are available for:
(a) British postgraduate students undertaking study at home or abroad
(b) Commonwealth postgraduate students undertaking study in the UK
(c) Postgraduate students undertaking special study (including short courses
& masterclasses) at home or abroad
Eligibility:
Nationality: British or British Commonwealth
Age limits: Instrumentalists, Conductors & Composers:
over 18 and under 25 years of age
Singers: over 18 and under 28 years of age
All ages are calculated as at 1st September in the year to which the application relates.
Tenure of Award: Awards are based on the academic year and will not be made for more than one year at a time.
Beneficiaries may apply for renewal of their awards for a second year. Applications for renewal of awards should be made in the same way as an initial approach to the Trust.
Please note: the Trustees are only prepared to consider applications for two years of postgraduate study.
Undergraduate/first degree courses will not be considered.
Musical Theatre and Music Therapy courses will also not be considered.
MPhil and PhD courses will also not be considered. Students undertaking such courses are advised to contact the Arts & Humanities Research Council - www.ahrc.ac.uk [top]2. LOANS FOR INSTRUMENT PURCHASE
A limited amount of the Trust's funds is set aside to assist young professional musicians with the purchase of new instruments.
Such assistance is offered in the form of interest-free loans repayable over periods varying from 5 to 12 years, depending on the size of the loan advanced, and is only available to past beneficiaries of the Trust.
Eligibility:
Nationality: British or British Commonwealth
Age limits: over 18 and under 28 years of age
All ages are calculated as at 1st September in the year to which the application relates.
3. STEPHEN OLIVER AWARD
The award is for a work, which has been or is in the process of being written for music theatre, to assist with the cost of bringing it to performance. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that performance is in prospect.
Detailed estimates of costings should be given for bringing the work to production, together with an account of progress made in accessing other sources of funding and any funds already raised.
The applicant should submit a copy of the score and libretto to which the application relates together with other examples of the composer's work and recordings.
Eligibility:
Nationality: British or British Commonwealth
Age limits: under 30 years of age
All ages are calculated as at 1st September in the year to which the application relates.
Closing date for applications is 14th February. Award payable September.
For further information please click here [top] - APPLICATION
PROCEDURE
Applications must be submitted online. References may be submitted online, by fax, post or email.
Study Grant Application Form - available for online submission from 1st January
Instrument Purchase Loan Application Form (Past beneficiaries only) - available from 1st January - please contact the secretary directly - secretary@munstertrust.org.uk
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms and references is 14th February. [top]
Composers: As part of your application, you are required to submit copies of two scores and recordings of recent works by the closing date of 14th February. [top]
Conductors: As part of your application, you are required to submit a video/DVD recording of a rehearsal you have recently taken by the closing date of 14th February.
Please ensure that the video/DVD recording focuses on you, to show your abilities and command, i.e. it should not be taken from behind or at distance. You are also required to submit written proof of achievements so far (for example in the formation of a choir, orchestra, etc.). Please enter this information under Question 7 of our application form - 'Any other relevant information'. [top] - REFERENCES
Two reference forms must be submitted by the closing date (14th February). Reference forms for Study Grants will be available online from 1st January.
Applicants must arrange for their referees to submit recommendations either online or by fax (01428 685064), email (references@munstertrust.org.uk) or post (Wormley Hill, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5SG) before the closing date - 14th February..
If your referee is not submitting their reference online please ensure that they answer the following four questions:
1. How long have you known the applicant and, if you are the teacher, how long have you taught the applicant?
2. In what ways has the candidate developed during the present course of study?
3. Do you support the project for which funding is sought and in what ways would you expect the applicant to benefit from further training?
4. Other comments regarding ability, potential, character, commitment and ambition. The Trustees deem quality of performance the highest priority and would be grateful if you would concentrate your comments on this angle as well as an opinion on how the applicant is likely to fare in the profession?
It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete our questionnaires and return them before the closing date (which coincides with the deadline for applications, i.e. 14th February).
References received after the deadline are unacceptable and the application will be considered invalid.
One referee must be the applicant's current teacher and the other a person with up-to-date knowledge of the applicant's musical training, who may be the applicant's Head of Department.
Both referees should be acquainted with the proposed study plan. [top] - APPLICATION
REJECTION
In order to make best use of the Trust's funds and enable the optimum number of new applications to be considered each year, applicants who have been rejected without audition on two occasions will not be eligible to apply a third time.
Students who apply to the Trust too early in their training, therefore, risk jeopardising their chances of obtaining funding at a later stage. [top] - AUDITIONS
Auditions take place between April and June each year.
Awards are made to selected applicants after audition and interview.
A contribution may be offered towards travelling expenses incurred within the UK.
Failure at Audition: In order to make best use of the Trust's funds and enable the maximum number of new applications to be considered each year, those applicants who have failed to obtain an award after audition will not normally be reconsidered in a subsequent year.
Students who apply to the Trust too early in their training, therefore, risk jeopardising their chances of obtaining funding at a later stage. [top]
Please note that the Secretary of the Trust will not enter into correspondence with applicants, except to amplify or clarify their applications and is not at liberty to give applicants any assessment of their chances of success, nor to discuss reasons for failure.
Applicants who enter into correspondence with individual Trustees run the risk of prejudicing their case.
The granting or withholding of financial assistance is entirely at the collective discretion of the Trustees and in no circumstances will reasons be given for rejection or for the selection of one applicant as against another. [top]