The Wolfson Foundation has agreed a new three year grant of £90,000 to support outstanding musicians at the RNCM and Junior RNCM.
The Wolfson Music Awards will provide scholarships for students at Junior RNCM as well as funds to help RNCM undergraduates purchase instruments.
Professor Linda Merrick, RNCM Principal, commented: ‘These awards will have such a significant impact on the beneficiaries, ensuring that our students – whatever their financial circumstance – can thrive during their studies at the College and realise their potential.’
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education and the arts and humanities. Since it was established in 1955, over £900 million (£1.9 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 11,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: ‘We very much value our longstanding relationship with music conservatoires and share their concern that access to high quality music education should be available to all. It would be a tragedy if this education was simply the preserve of the privileged in our society.’
Former Wolfson Music Award holders at the RNCM have gone on to stellar careers, notably undergraduate saxophonist Jess Gillam who performed at the 2018 Last Night of the Proms and presents a BBC Radio podcast for young musicians.
