Music Lesson Grants for Young People

Grants are available for young singers and instrumentalists in financial need to help towards the cost of lessons. Funding is awarded once a year in September and lasts for one academic year. Continuing students can reapply each year.

Eligibility checklist:

Do you live within 10 miles of Market Harborough?

Are you a permanent resident in the UK?

Will you be in school years 4 to 13 in September 2026?

Do you love singing or playing your instrument?

Do you need financial assistance to help to afford your singing or instrumental lessons?

Do you play one of the following instruments:

Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon

Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Euphonium, Cornet

Strings: Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass, Harp

Other: Piano, Percussion, Classical Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Voice

Application Timeline 2026/27

Application forms and Teacher references must be received by: Wednesday 9th September

Grant auditions will be held on:
Sunday 13th September

Applicants will find out whether they have been successful by:

Sunday 27th September

Terms & Conditions

Parental Consent

A parent or guardian must sign the application form to confirm that they are aware of the application and have read and agree to the grant application rules.

Information Processing

We need to collect some personal and financial information to process the application. By signing the application form the parent/guardian is agreeing for this information to be processed for this purpose and confirming that the information provided is to the best of their knowledge true and accurate. As a charity, GBRT has a duty to protect the funds that it handles and will use the information provided on the form to assess the application and to prevent and detect fraud.

Withdrawal of Support

If any information provided as part of the application, either on the application form, references or at the grant interview, is found to be deliberately inaccurate or not consistent with the ethos of Great Bowden Recital Trust financial support may be withdrawn.

Attendance at Lessons

All recipients of GBRT funding are required to attend all lessons for which funding has been given, unless there is a medical or other good reason for non-attendance. Teachers will be asked to provide regular updates on attendance.

Participation in an Ensemble

All recipients of GBRT funding are expected to participate in at least one ensemble, run by GBRT, their school or a county music service, where a place is available.

How to apply

If you haven’t applied for a grant before, complete the online grant application form below

New Application Form

If you are applying to renew a grant, complete the online grant application form below

Renewal Application Form

All applicants, ask your singing or instrumental teacher to complete the online reference form below

Teacher Reference Form

All applicants attend an audition on Sunday 13th September. Grants will not be awarded to anyone who does not attend unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Grant auditions

We will contact you by email after the closing date to let you know your audition time – it is essential that you give us your email address on the application form.

Please prepare a piece of up to 5 minutes long on the instrument/voice for which you are applying for funding - this can be unaccompanied or with a backing track on CD/MP3. This is so that we can hear and see you performing on your instrument. Your performance doesn’t need to be perfect, just bring along a piece that you have been learning in your lessons.

We will then ask you and your parent or legal guardian a few questions to help us to assess your application.

The panel will be made up of GBRT’s Trustees.

Decisions

The Trustees will consider each application very carefully and will let you know by email within two weeks of the audition whether or not your application been successful.

Funding for Music Lessons