The next generation of virtuosi
At the Edinburgh Academy we nurture young talent. Every year The Edinburgh Academy is delighted to offer a number of school music scholarships to help children achieve their highest potential. School music scholarships are available in any year group from 10 to 16 years of age.
Edinburgh Academy school music scholarships are designed to reward excellence by enabling pupils to attend The Edinburgh Academy who would not otherwise be able to do so.
Music scholarship outline
In appropriate cases up to 100% of tuition fees may be covered by the school art scholarships. In addition to a basic school art scholarship of up to 25% of the tuition fees, additional bursaries are available where parental means would otherwise be insufficient to meet the balance of the fees.
The Academy will do everything in its power to help those awarded school music scholarships to develop their talents and achieve high levels of success. Music tuition at The Academy is of a very high standard. Over the years a great many Academy pupils have gone on to professional success. George Cathcart founded the promenade concerts. Roy Williamson of The Corries, composer of the Scottish anthem "Flower of Scotland" was a wartime pupil, and "Paul Jones", lead singer of the group Manfred Mann was a pupil in the fifties. Phil Bancroft is today one of the leading figures on the flourishing Scottish jazz scene, whilst brother Tom runs Caber Music. Jonathan Pitkin has been selected by the Society for the Promotion of New Music as a sponsored young composer. Moray Nairn has musically directed several Edinburgh shows. Guy Berryman, bass guitarist with Coldplay, was at The Academy for 3 years before his family moved down to Kent. (See our alumni page)
School music scholarship application and awards procedures
All UK candidates for school music scholarships will be interviewed by members of the Music department. All candidates will also be interviewed by the Rector, who will also apply to the head teacher of the school which the candidate is presently attending, for a report on his/her character, ability and interests. Parents of applicants should thus ensure that the Head is aware that the application is being made. Reports from instrumental/singing teachers will also be requested. Overseas candidates for school music scholarships will be required to submit written evidence supported by testimonials. Candidates for school music scholarships should be completely familiar with practice and performance regimes of their own music.
Auditions for school music scholarships
Candidates for school music scholarships should perform two contrasted pieces on their first instrument, and one piece on their second. The audition may include a sight-reading test, scales and arpeggios on the first instrument, and aural tests. We are always interested to see or hear any composition work or project work by candidates for school music scholarships too. In addition, candidates for school music scholarships will be required to sit the appropriate academic examination papers for their age group. These examinations are scheduled for February.
Scholarship applications for 2008-9 have closed. Applications for 2009-10 are due by 12 January 2009.
School Music Scholarship Details
10 to 14 School music scholarship
 At this level candidates for school music scholarships are expected to show excellence in at least two areas of music. By excellence we mean surpassing what is expected of your age group.
We would expect younger candidates for school music scholarships to have reached a standard of at least Grade 5 on their first instrument, and to be able to offer a second instrument in support. Singing may be offered as an alternative. |
6th form School music scholarships
 At this level applicants for school music scholarships may be specialised in a single discipline. Candidates may be required to demonstrate their abilities with a high quality individual performance during the application process.
Candidates for Sixth Form school music scholarships should have reached a standard of at least Grade 7 on their first instrument. Singing may be offered as an alternative. Candidates for school music scholarships should bring their instruments where practicable. |
Music in the school
.jpg) Music plays a very important part in the life of the school. Three orchestras, two concert bands, a big band, two choirs and a wide variety of smaller ensembles – from barbershop quartet to fiddle group, saxophone ensemble to string quartet – meet at least once a week; there are annual concerts in the Queen’s Hall and the Usher Hall, annual musical shows and many other musical events each year.
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Opportunities for musicians
.gif) We have an outstanding team of instrumental and singing teachers, and there are frequent opportunities for solo performance in school. Pupils’ compositions are regularly performed in school and pupil-motivated events are encouraged. Music A-level is taught in the Sixth Form, and a considerable number of pupils go on to read music at university and music college.
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Coeducation
From Autumn 2008 The Academy is fully coeducational. This means that all scholarship awards are available equally to boys and girls.
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After the award of a school music scholarship
Those awarded school music scholarships are required to maintain and develop their musical abilities. They are also required to maintain an adequate academic standard. |
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The Music School 
