From time to time Mountains Youth Band is able to offer instrumental scholarships. These generally provide supply of an instrument and subsidized private tuition. The scholarships provide an avenue for players to develop their skills on instruments that may be larger or very expensive.
The administrator of Mountains Youth Band, Kath Weston, comments, “We have begun to see the tuba, and other instruments like oboe, bassoon, French horn and euphonium as endangered instruments. They’re very important instruments in a band or orchestra but it’s understandable that parents may be reluctant to start their child’s musical development with them. They are expensive to purchase, sometimes very large and can take a little longer to master. But playing an endangered instrument can work to your advantage when it comes to joining bands, ensembles and orchestras because there are so few of them.”
Mountains Youth Band would like to hear from individuals or businesses who may be able to provide funding to offer scholarships for other endangered instruments. Please direct all enquiries regarding the band and instrumental scholarships to Kath Weston, Administrator, Mountains Youth Band, Telephone: 4739 4313.
2010 French Horn Scholarship
We are delighted to announce the Kurt Jacob and Co Scholarship in French Horn.
The scholarship provides a young instrumentalist from the Blue Mountains or Nepean region with the loan of a quality instrument free of charge and substantially subsidised private tuition for a year. The French Horn has been generously donated to Mountains Youth Band by the musical instrument supplier, Kurt Jacob and Co Pty Ltd. www.kurtjacob.com.au
In return for loan of the instrument and subsidised tuition, the scholarship recipient will attend rehearsals and performances with Mountains Youth Band and will attend the lessons with a qualified music teacher. The recipient will also agree to be responsible for keeping the instrument in good working order.
The scholarship will be awarded according to a selection process. Applicants should have at least 2 years experience playing French Horn or another brass or wind instrument and be able to read music.
To obtain an application form or for more details, please contact the band’s Administrator on 4739 4313 or at kath.weston@bigpond.com or download the application form here .
Send the completed form to the Administrator, Mountains Youth Band, PO Box 29 Glenbrook 2773. Applications close Friday 25th June 2010.
2008 Tuba Scholarship
Mr Jim Aitken, OAM has generously provided funding for the Mountains Youth Band’s inaugural instrumental scholarship for 2008. The scholarship provides the recipient with the loan of a new instrument free-of-charge and with substantial subsidy for private tuition over a period of 12 months. The recipient will be required to become a member of Mountains Youth Band. The 2008 scholarship will be offered in Tuba. The value of the scholarship, including Tuba and tuition subsidy, is $5,000.
The scholarship is valued at $5,000 and provides Mountains Youth Band with a new tuba for the scholarship recipient to play and also provides substantially subsidised individual tuition for twelve months.
The scholarship award was presented to Alexander by Jim Aitken and the president of Blue Mountains Concert Band, Frank Fornasari, during the Mountains Youth Band Holiday Celebration Concert at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in December 2008.
Mountains Youth Band
Instrumental Scholarship
proudly sponsored by Jim Aitken + Partners
Jim Aitken OAM
