THE RHOSYGILWEN MUSIC BURSARY

INTRODUCTION

Menter Rhosygilwen’s annual music bursary is awarded to support a talented school leaver aspiring to follow a career in music through studying at a conservatoire or university. It is available therefore for young musicians in Year 13 or young people who have taken a gap year before going on to study at a conservatoire or university.

There are many financial barriers for young students of music. Music education continues to suffer from lack of funding, and a lack of affordability can severely constrain the options of some students wishing to continue their musical education.

Music is highly valued socially in the rural communities of south-west Wales – an area that has historically been blessed with talented young musicians and performers. Those that make it to the nation’s prized conservatories and universities seem to succeed in having successful careers across a wide geographical area.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE BURSARY?

Menter Rhosygilwen will offer an annual bursary of £3,000 to an instrumentalist or composer showing exceptional talent. The bursary will be offered each year over a two-year period (£6000 in total). Half the bursary will be paid in advance of the first year upon acceptance by an educational institution, and the second half paid after the institution has confirmed the student’s successful continuation into the second year.

HOW WILL CANDIDATES APPLY AND HOW WILL THE RECIPIENT OF THE BURSARY BE SELECTED?

Rhosygilwen has devolved the promotion and selection process to Young Music Makers of Dyfed (YMMD). Candidates will apply by submitting a written statement outlining their reasons for applying for the bursary and how it will make a difference to their study and career ambitions. All candidates will then be required to participate in one or more of YMMDs programmes for instrumentalists and composers. Feedback from the professional musicians leading those programmes, alongside an assessment of the written statement submitted by each candidate, will inform the final decision as to who the recipient of the bursary will be.

WHEN AND HOW CAN APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED?

Applications must be submitted by September 30th.

Candidates should e-mail their written statements to Emyr Wynne Jones, Chair of YMMD, at llysynant@gmail.com . The written statement may be submitted in English or Welsh, and should cover the following areas:

  • The applicant’s achievements to date
  • The applicant’s aspirations for the future
  • Details of the course of study the applicant intends following.
  • The difference the bursary will make to the applicant’s prospects given their personal circumstances.

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