A BEKRSHIRE school has widened its music scholarship programme to offer specialist support to young musicians.
Downe House School, an independent boarding school for girls aged 11-18, says the new awards have been created in response to the success of the school’s music department.
The extended awards include a Music Scholarship which is open to all years of entry, the Chilcott Choral Scholarship, a unique internally granted award for girls aged 14 upwards, named after the school’s musician in residence, Bob Chilcott, and also an Organ Scholarship open to 16-plus, and a separate Organ Award, which is open to all years of entry.
Dr Charlotte Exon, director of music at Downe House explained: “We are really excited to have widened our music scholarships offering. This is really about recognising the incredible musical talent of young people today, but on a broader level.
“The organ scholarships in particular, will give our students the opportunity to take on the identity and confidence of an organ scholar in their own right.
“We are also delighted to be offering the Chilcott Choral Scholarship. Bob Chilcott takes a special interest in these young scholars, with individual mentoring and an array of performance opportunities.
“This award will really open doors for them in the musical world.”
Each music scholar is allocated their own music mentor, who they work closely with on developing their personal targets, exploring the wider spectrum of musical opportunities available to them, and embracing their individual ambitions.
There are also opportunities to experience a broad range of music externally, from concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House to taking part in masterclasses and jazz workshops. Organ and choral scholarships also include optional scholarship mentoring for Oxbridge.
“Being a music award holder at Downe House is an honour, but it is also an exhilarating adventure,” Dr Exon added. “Our scholars demonstrate musical leadership across the whole school community. They perform as soloists and in chamber groups, and they are also members of our instrumental and vocal ensembles.”
To find out more about the music scholarships on offer at Downe House, visit: https://www.downehouse.net/downe-house-admissions/scholarship-programme/
