Musicians Benevolent Fund

MBF Young Talent Awards

The MBF Young Talent Awards are an important source of funding for instrumentalists and are made to those with a high level of musical achievement where there is financial need.

In 2007, the MBF distributed over £115,000 through this scheme to more than 180 musically gifted young people with awards ranging from £200 to £1,000.

Awards are offered to those who will be under 18 years of age on 1 September 2008 towards one of the following i) the cost of buying an instrument ii) music lessons with a private teacher iii) fees for a Saturday music centre iv) travel expenses to attend a Saturday music centre.

Awards are also offered to those who are aged 18 and about to enter their first year at university or college. Applications from 18 year olds can only be made for instrument purchase.

The application process is now open and the closing date for receiving complete applications is 12 June 2008. Applicants should be British or Irish or have been resident in the UK or Ireland for at least 3 years on 12 June 2008.

The MBF has organised a special deal with two of the UK‘s leading instrument retailers, through which MBF Young Talent Award recipients can receive a considerable discount on their required instrument’s retail price. If you are an award recipient and would be interested in taking advantage of this offer please contact the retailers below and quote the MBF Young Talent Awards.

Normans
gary@normans.co.uk
08000 28 14 15

JohnPacker Ltd
jon@johnpacker.co.uk
01823 282 386

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MBF String Awards

The MBF String Awards are for exceptional violinists and cellists under the age of 21. Applicants may be of any nationality but non-British/Irish applicants may not apply for funding for study outside the UK. The following awards are available:

Manoug Parikian Award
An award of £3,000 for a violinist. Set up in 1987 in memory of violinist Manoug Parikian, the award must be used for study costs or instrument purchase.

Royal Philharmonic Society Emily Anderson Prize
A prize of £2,500 offered by the RPS to a violinist. There are no restrictions on its use.

Guilhermina Suggia Gift
An award of £3,000 for a cellist to be used towards study costs.

Further discretionary MBF awards may also be made.

The next closing date for applications will be autumn 2008 and the application process will open during the summer.

Email us on education@mbf.org.uk or phone 020 7299 8356.

To find out which award is suitable for you - click here