University News Last updated 28 January
A major funding boost of almost 拢370,000 will help more aspiring young musicians in the West Midlands receive expert coaching at the celebrated Royal 探花直播 Conservatoire (RBC).
Almost 拢250,000 has been donated by the Leverhulme Trust while 拢120,000 has been awarded by the Wolfson Foundation to support members of the Junior Conservatoire over the next three years.
鈥淭he generosity of the Leverhulme Trust and Wolfson Foundation is going to have a profound impact on the lives of so many young musicians in the West Midlands,鈥� said Stephen Maddock, Principal of Royal 探花直播 Conservatoire, which is part of 探花直播.
鈥淲e share the belief and commitment that opportunities for musical education should be available to all young people, regardless of financial means.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see the progress our Junior players can make over the next three years.鈥濃��
Each year, more than 200 young musicians, aged between eight and 18, benefit from tutoring by world-class experts in classical, jazz and chamber music through the Junior Conservatoire.
In the 2024/25 academic year, almost a third of the participating children and young people received a bursary towards tuition fees, with the goal of supporting them on their journey to becoming professional musicians.
The Junior Conservatoire has been the starting point for many renowned talents, including pianist Lauren Zhang, who won the BBC Young Musician award in 2018.
Jeevan Braich, who is currently performing as Rusty in the hit musical 鈥楽tarlight Express鈥�, joined the Junior Conservatoire in 2018 and was supported with bursaries throughout his tuition.鈥�
鈥淭he Trustees are delighted to support Royal 探花直播 Conservatoire in providing training opportunities for young musicians,鈥� said Alison Rees, Grants Officer at the Leverhulme Trust.
鈥淭he Art Scholarship Training Opportunities for Under 18s grant scheme supports talented young people by alleviating the financial pressures that can prevent diversity in the arts.鈥濃��
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, added: 鈥淲e are delighted to continue working in partnership with RBC through the Wolfson Music Awards.
鈥淥ur music education programme supports students with exceptional musical ability with a particular emphasis on those from less affluent backgrounds.鈥��
鈥淲e strongly believe that access to high-quality music education should be available to all.鈥濃��