Awards and funding
Charles Barratt Award
Each year students are invited to apply for funding to support their music lessons. This award can be used for anything in relation to Music Education including Groups, Tuition, Exam fees etc. Please note instrument purchase is not funded by the grant. Find out more about the award in the covering letter and information sheet
We are now asking for all applications to be completed online. Please complete the parent form and send the link to the teacher form by email (or ask them to visit this website) to complete. All applicants MUST have a completed parent and teacher form to be considered for an award
Applications for 2025-26 are now closed. Watch this space for 2026-27 applications opening soon.
Decisions will be made in May/June and successful candidates will be informed in June/July.
For more information about the Charles Barratt Awards, including terms and conditions click here.
Young Sounds Thrive
Through our Thrive programme, we support young instrumentalists, singers, songwriters, composers and producers with funding and other help to develop their musical potential. When you join the programme, you join a community of talented young musicians from across the UK and get free musical opportunities and advice too.
Find out more on their website
Other Awards and Funding
Valentine Alcock Award Funding
Do you know a young person from a disadvantaged background who might benefit from intensive instrumental tuition?
Valentine Alcock was a talented young mixed-race clarinettist and saxophonist from a single-parent household who died tragically in 1974. In his memory, close members of his family established a fund to allow others to follow in his musical footsteps. We aim:
To provide financial support up to 100% of fees to enable young people of limited financial means to learn to play a musical instrument through attendance in practical courses, workshops or master classes especially those involving residential attendance.
In recent years, we have provided funding for the following individuals and courses:
- Swansea: £240 for two siblings (parents on income support) to attend local authority summer course
- Mitcham: £250 (of £495 cost) for 17 yr old (single parent family) to attend Hindhead Centre course
- Wells: £770 for 13 yr old (single parent family) to attend MusicWorks summer course
- Rye: £250 for 17 yr old (single parent family) to attend local authority youth orchestra winter course
- Ipswich: £250 (of £540) for 14 yr old (low income family) to attend Purcell School percussion course
- Wimbledon: £465 for 13 yr old (single parent) to attend National Children’s Brass Band GB course
- Oldham: £130 for 17 yr old (single parent family) to attend Vacation Chamber Orchestras course
We are a small, family-run charity. Each year we focus our publicity on particular regions.
To find out more about the Valentine Alcock Scholarship or to make an online application, please visit the Valentine Alcock Scholarship website
Valentine Alcock Scholarship: 26 Limes Avenue, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7DY 01773 520476 enquiries@valentinealcockscholarship.org.uk