NSSO works hard to support players whose parents need help to meet the course fee. We believe that finance should not be a defining factor in deciding to apply. Our modest Bursary Fund faces increasing pressure each year but we promise to do our best to help and to take into account any exceptional circumstances. Please note that the decision whether or not to award a bursary, and the value of any bursary awarded, is entirely at the discretion of NSSO and Malvern College.
It is helpful to us if, in the first place, you seek support from elsewhere. In particular, from your own school or LEA; they often have funds reserved to meet such need. In addition, there are many quite localised charities across the UK which support arts-based activities for young people from that area. Google often turns up surprisingly little known trust funds with just this aim in mind!
Most funding organisations have deadlines for applications, so begin your research sooner rather than later.
Here are some links to help start your research:
The Harrison Memorial Fund, administered by the IAPS, awards grants to young people aged 8 – 13 (school years 5 – 8) who need financial support to attend residential music courses in the UK. Applications to this fund enjoy a high level of success but awards are generally modest.
For further information, please email Kathy Uttley: iapsitrustmusic@gmail.com
Our bursaries are awarded on a sliding scale based on the household’s total net income (defined as total annual income less total annual expenditure). If your combined household take-home employment-related pay exceeds £40,000 you are not likely to receive an award. The maximum award that is normally given is 50% of the course fee. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to provide a higher award.
All applications for Bursary assistance should be submitted by Monday 16th December 2024 accompanied by the application form for the course itself and the deposit fee, if they have not already been submitted. We will inform you by mid January if your application for bursary support has been successful. All fees must be paid in full at least 6 weeks before the course starts.
Bursary applications are dealt with by Malvern College and NSSO tutors, conductors and those reviewing auditions do not know who is a bursary applicant.
Offers of a place in NSSO are based on purely musical criteria and are not affected by bursary applications.
If you have an enquiry about any aspect of NSSO please feel free to get in touch:
NSSO, Malvern College, College Road, Malvern, WR14 3DF
T: 01684 581695
We are delighted that Joe Davies has agreed to join the NSSO family from 2024 and will be conducting the Sinfonia Orchestra. Recently praised for his ‘musical brilliance’ (Seen and Heard International), Joe Davies is Musical Director of the UK Proms in the Park Orchestra, Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra, Leamington Sinfonia, Coventry & Warwickshire Youth Orchestra, […]
We are delighted to be accepting applications for our courses in 2024 and look forward to another exciting year of music making at Malvern College!