Our Scholarships are for musicians over the age of 18, with no upper age limit.

Each academic year we award scholarships ranging from £1,500 to £5,000 per scholar, depending on individual circumstances. Scholarships can be used to cover fees, instrument purchase, masterclasses, competitions, recordings, concerts and other related activities.

Important dates for 2025:
​
January 6th       -   Applications open
February 10th    -   Applications close - 23:00/11:00pm
April (date tbc)   -  Invitation to audition
May (dates below) - Auditions
June (date tbc)  - Results announced


The auditions will take place in:

London         - Saturday 10th/Sunday 11th May
Manchester - Friday 16th May
London         - Saturday 17th/Sunday 18th May


There is also an option for on-line auditions for those unable to attend live.
This is for musicians not yet living in the UK.


GENERAL CRITERIA:

• Singers, solo instrumentalists and accompanists living and studying in the UK can apply.
 
• To apply to the Trust you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled as a student in the UK for the applicable academic year (next applicable year: 2025-26).

• We do not support ensembles, composers, conductors, music theatre or jazz students.

• Applicants must be 18 or over on 1st September in the year of application
 
• We are open to all nationalities: UK, EU and international students can apply.

• There is no restriction on how long you have lived or studied in the UK.

• Applicants must be of an outstanding standard and be able to clearly demonstrate that they are in need of funding.


PLEASE READ THESE NOTES AND FAQS BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM:

• Applications must be submitted online using the form on our website. No other format will be accepted.

• Instrument/Voice type.
Please be clear about what instrument you play, or which voice type you are.

• Course/Year.
Please state clearly which course and year you are going into.

• Referee.
Name and email address of your referee.
We will only ask for your reference if you are invited to audition.

• The On-line audition is for musicians not yet living in the UK. If you are living and studying in the UK, you would be expected to audition live, except in extraordinary circumstances.

• Video recordings.
Links to at least 2 video recordings lasting approximately 5 minutes each must uploaded via the online form. Longer recordings can be submitted but candidates must specify the section to be heard. 

• Recordings must be made within the last year.

• YouTube links are preferred. Please make sure these are not restricted and do not have an expiry date.

• Audition Programme. This can be changed at a later date.
You can use the same repertoire in the application and at the live audition.

• Budget for the academic year 2025-26.
Please use yearly figures for all costs.
Please provide as much information as possible. 
This should include:
Outgoings: Course fees, Rent, Bills, Travel, Food, Instrument costs.
Income: Student Loan, Scholarships, Paid work, Money from Parents.
Shortfall: How much you still need for the year.


• DCT Scholarship Funds.
There is no restriction on what you can use the scholarship funds for.

•Personal statement.
600 Word limit. Please include any other relevant information as well as plans for the future.

• Full biography or CV uploaded via the online form.

• Application deadline.
The applications deadline is strict. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. No exceptions to this rule will be made under any circumstances.

 

​SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS:

• London. 
National Opera Studio.
The Clore Building, 2 Chapel Yard, Wandsworth, London, SW18 4HZ

• Manchester. 
Venue tbc

• The shortlist of auditionees will be announced in April 2025.

• The DCT allocates the audition times to the selected applicants.

• The cost of travel to audition is not covered by the DCT.

• All auditionees will have access to a practice room for 15-20minutes prior to their audition.

• A piano accompanist will be provided if needed (free of charge). There will be opportunity to rehearse before the audition for 15-20mins.

• The invited auditionees are required to perform a programme of at least two contrasting pieces lasting approximately 10 minutes in total, followed by a short interview.

• If you are auditioning as an accompanist you must prepare two contrasting pieces, one instrumental and one vocal, for which you must provide your own soloists.

• The audition panel will be:

Matthew Hargreaves. Head of Scholarships & Artistic Planning at The Drake Calleja Trust.

Anna Wolstenholme. Principal Flute of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bryan Evans MBE. Music and Artistic Director of Diva Opera.


CONTACT:

Drake Calleja Trust, Sovereign House, 1 Albert Place, London N3 1QB, UK
+44 (0) 7973 333770
info@drakecallejatrust.org

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