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Entries are once again being accepted for a special annual bursary aimed at supporting young musicians in Guernsey wishing to study classical music at university or college.
Now in its sixth consecutive year, the ‘Keith Dawber Memorial Bursary’ is aimed at supporting Guernsey students who intend to pursue further studies relating specifically to instrumental or vocal classical music with the cost of study materials, books, and tuition fees. The Bursary, sponsored by Deutsche Bank, is worth a total of £1,500 annually and has attracted significant interest over the past five years.
Applications are now open for the academic year commencing September 2016 and are invited from local students who already attend a college, university, or other accredited specialist musical establishment.
The deadline for applications is Friday 27th May, after which a panel will review all applications and draw up a shortlist prior to selection interviews in July and August.
Former recipients of the Keith Dawber Memorial Bursary include vocalist Casey-Joe Rumens, pianist Tom Hicks, oboist Laura Campbell, viola player Sarah Keirle, and most recently last year’s winner Rickey Long who is a pianist, vocal coach, and an aspiring musical director.
The bursary was established in memory of Keith Dawber, who joined the Guernsey Schools’ Music Service after arriving in Guernsey in 1979. Over a period of thirty years, he supported thousands of young musicians and worked tirelessly on behalf of the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra to give pupils an opportunity to perform alongside adults and visiting professional players.
Glenda Dawber, Keith's widow and former trustee of the Guernsey Choral Workshop, said: “Five local musicians have so far benefited from this bursary since it was launched in 2010, helping them pursue their studies in the UK and I’m delighted that we can continue to offer this bursary to music students this year. Studying classical music in the UK can be demanding in many different ways, but this bursary offers a means of giving Guernsey’s talented young musicians the financial assistance they need to help them achieve their goals. It’s always a challenge picking the recipient and I look forward to another year of excellent applications.”
Andreas Tautscher, Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank Channel Islands, who have a long standing commitment to supporting artistic development in Guernsey, said: “Every year for the past five years, the response we have had to the Bursary has been overwhelming which goes to show that there is genuine musical talent here in Guernsey and a real need to help our young people in reaching their potential. I’m pleased that Deutsche Bank is continuing to support this initiative, in order to foster musical excellence, creativity and innovation locally.”
