Hume Conservatorium offers annual scholarships to young musicians in the local community. The program is open to any musician regardless of whether they are students of Hume Conservatorium at the time of audition or not. It is policy of Hume Conservatorium that scholarships will be awarded to the students who, in the view of the conservatorium, are likely to benefit most from the scholarship grant. The quality of performance on the day of audition is a major factor in this decision, but not the sole factor. All styles of music are acceptable when applying for a scholarship.
Hume Conservatorium is very fortunate to have a number of local and regional organisations and individuals who support our Annual Scholarship Program. The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage and accelerate the musical development of students with potential, equipping them for further study at an advanced level.
Hume Conservatorium will invite 3 senior members of our staff as well as our CEO to act as adjudicators for our scholarship program in order to maintain fairness and transparency in the process.
The CEO of Hume Conservatorium will have the final decisions in the allocation of all scholarship funds.
Upon receipt of a scholarship, winners are required to have lessons with the most appropriate Hume Conservatorium tutor as decided by the CEO. Â Scholarship winners are encouraged to write a letter of thanks to their sponsor (if appropriate) and to send a report of their activities at the completion of their scholarship year.
Scholarships may be awarded in the following categories –
Junior – Grade 4 and below
Senior – Grade 5 and above
Baldsing Jazz Scholarship – students under 25 years of age studying in a jazz genre
Ros Murphy Scholarship (Piano/Organ)
Katz Family Scholarship
Blake Sheridan Scholarship for Voice
Missing Instruments Fund
The scholarships awarded in these categories may change each year, dependent on donor support.
In addition, we may offer encouragement awards of lesser value:
Board Scholarships
CEO Encouragement Award – For any student
CEO Prize for Best 2023 HSC Music Mark
The Missing Instruments Fund scholarship is designed to nurture the growth of instruments that are rarely played or are needed for a specific ensemble. It supports the growth of instruments to strengthen the range of ensembles and music which are performed here.
The following list indicates the type of instrument that can be considered under this scholarship category:
most brass instruments
woodwinds other than flute
lower strings
early music instruments
orchestral percussion
specialist strings- eg mandolin, harp.
If you wish to audition on one of these instruments, you need to have either:
some level of experience / proficiency in the instrument, but do not need to be above Grade Three level yet;
or
experience/proficiency in another instrument and an interest in changing to one of the missing instruments (eg, a violin student may have an interest in ‘cello, or a guitar student may be interested in taking up brass).
Applications: Close 5pm Monday 6 November 2023
Auditions: 4pm – 7.30pm Friday 10 November 2023
Announcement: Scholarship recipients will be notified by Friday 9 December 2023
Applications are due 5pm Monday 6 November 2023. Auditions will be held on the 10 November 2023. Please fill in the online application form below. Late applications will not be accepted. Auditions will be held in person, not recorded.Â
Scholarships are made up of several components:
The tuition fee- which may be paid as a full or part scholarship, depending on available funds. The expected lesson length is 40 mins, although a 1 hour lesson may be considered for advanced students
A musicianship fee- which is usually reimbursed in full
An ensemble fee – which is usually paid in full, unless an exemption is granted from ensemble participation
You will be advised of the details of your scholarship if you are successful
These three components- tuition, ensemble experience and musicianship (theory, composition, performance)- provide the foundational skills and experience for the development of good musicians.
Acceptance of the scholarship includes an expectation that the opportunity being offered will be taken up with a good level of commitment. Our expectations are described in more detail below.
Scholarship funds are credited to tuition accounts each term, provided the enrolment is continued.
Award Process:
Decisions regarding the award of scholarships will be made by the adjudicators. The CEO of Hume Conservatorium will have the final sign off in the allocation of all scholarship funds.
The scholarships will be announced and awarded by week 10 of Term 4.
All applicants, successful or otherwise, will be informed in writing by mail of the result of their audition.
In the interests of confidentiality, no discussion will be entered into. Audition applicants will not receive a written assessment of their performance.
Successful applicants and their parent/guardian will be asked to sign a formal acceptance of the scholarship offered and agree to all terms and conditions therein.
Prepare two contrasting pieces (different styles, genres or periods) .
Each piece must be no longer than 3 minutes duration and can be played unaccompanied, with a backing track or with an accompanist. It can be an excerpt, 2-3 minutes of a longer piece, just find an appropriate place to start and stop.
Ask your teacher for advice before choosing your pieces.
Choose a piece that shows your playing at its best.
Presentation and Performance
Communication, introduction of pieces, maturity and confidence of performance will be considered. Smart casual dress.Â
Musicality / Expression / Interpretation
demonstration of style and musicality appropriate to each piece is expected
Teacher Reference
The views of your teacher will be taken into account, covering areas such as aptitude, commitment/motivation, attendance, rate of progress.
Technique and Accuracy
Accurate technique for repertoire, including accuracy of pitch and rhythm will be considered. Other issues related to management of instrument will also be considered here, such as tuning, if appropriate.
Hume Con / Other Activities
Reference to involvement in activities at Hume Con or in school or community such as attendance at concerts, involvement in ensembles or community performances will be considered. Where two students are tied in marks, the winner will be decided in favour of the candidate who is judged to have a superior record of participation in additional music activities
SCHOLARSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Applications must be lodged by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.
2. Scholarships are open to current students of Hume Conservatorium, and to those people residing in locations where Hume Conservatorium offers tuition.
3. Scholarships are open to students of all ages and at all stages of learning for tuition in any area of learning offered by Hume Conservatorium. This includes theory/musicianship; composition; music production, etc
4. Applicants must make themselves available for the date and time of the auditions.
5. The scholarship auditions will be adjudicated by a panel with appropriate expertise and experience
6. The decision of the adjudicator is final.
7. The scholarship auditions will be held at Hume Conservatorium, 160 Bourke St Goulburn NSW 2580
8. In cases where there is no suitable applicant, or applicants do not meet the required standard, the scholarship will not be offered.
9. Only the candidate and accompanist will be allowed in the audition room.
10. Applicants must have an accompanist to perform pieces with a written accompaniment. An official accompanist will be available through Hume Conservatorium. The accompanist must be provided with music two weeks prior to the auditions. The cost of rehearsals and the audition are the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants may choose to use their own accompanist. Where applicable, the use of technology is allowed. For example, students who have prepared for lower grade AMEB exams where recorded accompaniments are allowed may use these approved recordings. Electric guitar students may use pedals to create accompanying loops, etc as part of their performance. NB IF RECORDINGS ARE USED, THE AUDITIONING INSTRUMENT MAY NOT REPLICATE AN INSTRUMENT ON THE RECORDING.
11. Applicants arriving late may forfeit their audition.
12. Applicants may audition on two instruments (ie one piece on each).
13. Staff members are ineligible to apply for scholarships, but their family members are eligible.
14. Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis. A student may only receive one scholarship per year. A student may apply and be awarded a scholarship for 2 consecutive years. They will not be eligible to apply in the 3rd consecutive year. They can, however, apply for a scholarship again after a one-year break.
15. Hume Conservatorium reserves the right to withdraw a scholarship at any time that conditions are not met, or if the scholarship holder’s behaviour is viewed as detrimental to the school.
16. The scholarships are dependent on funding from external bodies. Hume Conservatorium reserves the right to withdraw scholarships should funding not be received.
17. In extraordinary circumstances, with CEO approval, a student may submit a video in lieu of live audition.
In addition, scholarship holders are strongly encouraged to commit to any relevant Hume Conservatorium ensemble groups or assist with accompanying (as appropriate).
Hume Conservatorium offers annual bursaries as a form of financial relief for parents and self-funding students who are experiencing hardship. Find out more here.
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We acknowledge the traditional Custodians of this Land, where the Aboriginal People have performed age-old ceremonies of storytelling, music, dance and celebration. As a traditional meeting place, many first nations peoples came to this region. Underneath our buildings and roads this Land always will be traditional Aboriginal Land. in the same way, all music making genres and practices come from our musical elders, so we acknowledge those on whose skills and wisdom we draw.
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