MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS ESU Music Scholarships allow exceptional individuals to develop their talents and further their training. They also provide a common ground on which people of different communities can meet, learn and understand. The young people who have derived benefit from this valuable experience are now making a significant contribution to the musical profession, both as performers and as teachers.
What does a scholarship cover? Each scholarship covers the cost of tuition, board and lodging, but not travel (with the exception of the ESU Norman-Butler Tanglewood Scholarship and the ESU Yale Charlotte BonhamCarter Scholarship which include the cost of travel). Applicants are encouraged to look elsewhere for such funding. You may be questioned on this aspect in your audition.
It was an unforgettable three weeks and inspiring on so many levels. It was my first contact with Steven (Isserlis) and he is one of the most natural musicians I have ever come across with the most fluid technique. His lessons were nothing short of a revelation‌ I thoroughly enjoyed playing Shostakovich cello sonata with Simon Parkin, a phenomenal musician, in the concert at the end of the three weeks, trying to put into practice all I had learnt and all the inspiration I had absorbed. As hoped, I made many new good friends and established many new contacts. And the scenery was of course stunning. It is so good to escape completely from the mundane for a while and live in an idealistic environment, focusing entirely on what really matters! James Barralet ESU Alumnus to International Musicians Seminar, Prussia Cove
The ESU is currently offering scholarships to: ESU Menuhin Banff Scholarship Venue: Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta, Canada Duration: 3 week session from June to July ESU Norman-Butler Tanglewood Scholarship Venue: Tanglewood Music Center, Massachusetts, USA Duration: 9 week session from June to August ESU Yale Charlotte Bonham-Carter Scholarship Venue: Yale Summer School of Music, Connecticut, USA Duration: 6 week session from July to August ESU Scholarship to the International Musicians Seminar Venue: Prussia Cove, Cornwall, England Duration: 3 week session from March to April
ESU Scholarship to Acadèmie Internationale de Musique Maurice Ravel Venue: St Jean de Luz, France Duration: 2 week session in September ESU Scholarship to Solti Te Kanawa, Accademia Di Bel Canto Venue: Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy Duration: 3 week session from June to July (Auditions for the Accademia Di Bel Canto will be held by the Academia separately in January, the ESU will choose a musician to support from their successful applicants) Additionally, the English-Speaking Union will administrate the Franco-British Society scholarship to the Acadèmie Internationale de Musique Maurice Ravel.
The English-Speaking Union’s music scholarships provide invaluable opportunities for young musicians. As a past scholar, I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to travel to America, where I came into contact with professors and fellow students whom I should never have met otherwise. I believe that the scholarships have proved very important to the lives of many young musicians and I hope that they will continue to do so for many years to come. Steven Isserlis, Cellist ESU Alumnus to the Aspen Music Festival and School 1981
Application Process
For more information please contact:
Eligibility
Music Scholarships Education and Events The English-Speaking Union Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street London W1J 5ED
The scholarships are aimed at young musicians who are studying, or have studied, music in the United Kingdom. To be eligible to apply candidates must be students or graduates from a recognised conservatory or university music department in the United Kingdom. Application The application form can be downloaded from the ESU website at www.esu.org. Please ensure you complete the form and clearly state your festival/summer school preferences. Applications should be supported by a teacher’s reference. Your application will not be considered without a reference. Your reference may be emailed or posted to the ESU directly. An ESU scholarship does not guarantee you a place at the school. You still need to apply by the normal procedures. You will be entirely responsible for your own application including recordings, travelling to auditions and submitting your application on time. The ESU will contact the schools to inform them you have been selected. Auditions Applications for Music Scholarships open in September for courses taking place the following year. Auditions are held at Dartmouth House, London, at the end of November. The ESU will be conducting only one day of auditions. You will be notified of the result of your application.
T 020 7529 1550 education.events@esu.org The closing date for applications and references is normally at the end of October. Please check the website for further details. Application forms can be downloaded from www.esu.org