​Downe House School extends music scholarships to recognise broader range of young musicians

Downe House School, an independent boarding school for girls, has widened its music scholarship programme as part of a longer-term strategy to celebrate and provide specialist support to a broader range of talented young musicians. The new awards have been created in response to the thriving success of the school’s music department, which now employs nine full-time members of staff, all with vast and varied experience, as well as musician in residence, British choral composer and conductor, Bob Chilcott.

The extended awards include a Music Scholarship which is open to all years of entry, the Chilcott Choral Scholarship, a unique internally granted award for 14+, named after the school’s musician in residence, Bob Chilcott, and also an Organ Scholarship open to 16+ and a separate Organ Award, which is open to all years of entry.

Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music at Downe House, explained more: “We are really excited to have widened our music scholarships offering. This is really about recognising the incredible musical talent of young people today, but on a broader level. The organ scholarships in particular, will give our students the opportunity to take on the identity and confidence of an organ scholar in their own right. We are also delighted to be offering the Chilcott Choral Scholarship. Bob Chilcott takes a special interest in these young scholars, with individual mentoring and an array of performance opportunities. This award will really open doors for them in the musical world.”

Each music scholar is allocated their own music mentor, who they work closely with on developing their personal targets, exploring the wider spectrum of musical opportunities available to them, and embracing their individual ambitions. All scholars have multiple opportunities to prepare for their future, with specialist enrichment programmes and opportunities to perform in the school’s chapel. There are also opportunities to experience a broad range of music externally, from concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House to taking part in masterclasses and jazz workshops. Organ and Choral Scholarships also include optional scholarship mentoring for Oxbridge.

“Being a music award holder at Downe House is an honour, but it is also an exhilarating adventure. Our scholars demonstrate musical leadership across the whole school community. They perform as soloists and in chamber groups, and they are also members of our instrumental and vocal ensembles,” added Dr Exon.

To find out more about the music scholarships on offer at Downe House – please visit: Scholarship Programme | Downe House School