How can I get help with costs? Expand We want all children and young people to have access to enjoyable music and arts activity. If you are unable to meet the full costs of our services, there may be help available. This page contains lots of information about schemes that we operate in Severn Arts, as well as those run by external organisations. If you know of any other schemes that could reduce costs for young people, please let us know so we can add them to our list. Contact us if you would like to talk to us about help with costs.
Severn Arts Music Awards Scheme Expand We are delighted to be able to offer the Severn Arts Music Awards Scheme. Music lessons are a great way to build confidence, social networks and musical talent, but we know that not all families can afford the full costs. Families can now apply for a 'Music Award’. This will provide £50 off the cost of music lessons each term for one year, free instrument hire and free ensemble membership. What would qualify my child for an Award? Parents/carers will be able to apply in the following circumstances: Your child is eligible for Free School Meals (excluding Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM)) Your family is in receipt of Universal Credit which has replaced the following benefits: Child Tax Credit Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Working Tax Credit You are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit Your child is a Looked After Child or Previously Looked After Child You are in receipt of Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) Please note you will be asked to upload a photo or scan of one supporting document with your application. How do I apply for an Award? Please complete our online application form and tell us you think you are eligible for an Award. You will be asked to upload a photo or scan of one supporting document with your application. If your child is in receipt of Free School Meals documentation is not required. Only one application per child can be made and, due to limited funds, Awards will be granted on a first come first served basis. Awards are granted for a single academic year – September to 31 August. A new application for an Award must be made in advance of each new academic year. Please note applications for the 2021/22 academic year have now closed. We will notify schools when new Awards become available. Apply for a Music Award NB: there is a cap on the number of Music Awards we can grant due to limited funding, but there is no cap on instrument hire or ensemble membership. If you are eligible but unsuccessful in applying for a Music Award due to limited places, you can still apply for free instrument hire and ensemble membership – please follow the links below for more information and separate application forms. How to apply for free instrument hire Apply for free ensemble membership For further information and any queries about the Music Awards Scheme, please contact [email protected]
Free group/ensemble membership Expand Do you need help with costs for music centre groups and ensemble membership? What would qualify my child for FREE membership? If you meet one or more of the following criteria your child will qualify for free membership: Your child is eligible for Free School Meals (year 3 or above) Your child is on the Worcestershire Furthering Talent Programme Your family is in receipt of Universal Credit which has replaced the following benefits: Child Tax Credit Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Working Tax Credit You are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit Your child is a Looked After Child or Previously Looked After Child You are in receipt of Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) Please note you will be asked to upload a photo or scan of one supporting document with your application. How do I apply for a free place? Please complete our online membership form and tell us why you think your child is eligible for free membership. You will be asked to upload a photo or scan of one supporting document with your application. If your child is in receipt of Free School Meals documentation is not required.
Free instrument hire Expand What would qualify my child for free instrument hire? Parents/carers will be able to apply in the following circumstances: Your child is eligible for Free School Meals (excluding Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM)) Your child is receiving a Severn Arts Music Award Your child is on the Worcestershire Furthering Talent programme Your family is in receipt of Universal Credit which has replaced the following benefits: Child Tax Credit Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Working Tax Credit You are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit Your child is a Looked After Child or Previously Looked After Child You are in receipt of Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) Apply for instrument hire
Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust Expand The Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust provides funds for tuition for instruments played with a bow; help towards the purchase of an instrument; some living expenses incurred whilst in full time or postgraduate education/studies at college/university – supporting students up to about 30 years of age. The Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust
The Wrightson Trust Expand The Wrightson Trust generally aims to benefit young people between 10 and 18 years. this includes support for lessons, choir/orchestra tour fees, music colleges etc. The assistance varies according to circumstances and distributions have ranged between £100 and £800. Grants are either ‘one offs’ or reviewable annual payments for a specific period. Two letters of support are required from the candidate’s tutors or teachers. The Wrightson Trust
Music for All Expand Music for All provide advice and grant funding support to individuals to provide access to musical instruments and lessons. Music for All
Lawrence Atwell’s Charity Expand Lawrence Atwell's Charity provides grants to young people to assist them with vocational training and education. Helping young people 16 to 26, to learn new skills and make their way into employment. They support individuals studying on vocational and accredited courses but not individuals still in secondary education, studying GCSEs or A levels, or undertaking a course at a private dance/drama college, or an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Parental income must be below £26,000 per annum. Lawrence Atwell's Charity
Future Talent Expand Future Talent offers financial bursaries to young musicians, instrumentalists and singers from any genre of music. Future Talent supports gifted young musicians from low income backgrounds from anywhere in the UK, typically families who have a household income of around £30,000 per year, or less, before tax (including benefits). Any young musicians on free school dinners would be eligible for one of these bursaries. Bursaries of up to £2,000 per year can be used on anything that will help to nurture a young musicians’ talent. For example, funds can be used for lessons, a new instrument or case, courses or maintenance. There is no specific grade requirement or level that needs to be reached. Some examples, given by the trust include: A 16/17 year old, grade 7/8 musician who is planning to study music in heighted education and needs their own instrument or extra lessons A 13 year old who has been learning for a few years and is progressing really quickly, who would really benefit from taking part in an ensemble/orchestral course, or who needs some more support with costs A year 5 or 6 continuer, who has gone through wider opportunities, and has managed to reach grade 2/3 by the end of primary school, but whose parents cannot afford to carry on with lessons The Mentoring, Advice and Bursary Programme also offers free orchestral days and performance classes, mentoring with a professional musician/conductor and development opportunities. Future Talent
Fidelio Charitable Trust Expand Fidelio Charitable Trust welcomes applications for grants in support of the arts particularly for music, including Opera, Lieder, Composition and Dance. Fidelio looks to provide support for individuals or groups of exceptional ability. Fidelio Charitable Trust
EMI Music Sound Foundation Expand EMI Music Sound Foundation is an independent music education charity, established in 1997 to celebrate the centenary of EMI Records and to improve young peoples’ access to music education in the UK & Ireland. The Foundation provides two types of awards: Instrument and/or equipment awards which allow schools, music teachers and individuals in full time education for assistance with the purchase of musical instruments and/or equipment Bursary awards which allow students at the colleges or organisations (as listed on their website) to apply for assistance with fees and/or living expenses (these are handled directly by the college or organisation). UM UK Sound Foundation
The Bishop Lloyd Charity Expand The Bishop Lloyd Charity offers grants to children and young people in hardship who meet the following criteria: Under 25 years Resident of the city of Worcester Wanting to pursue their education, e.g. extra curricular courses or in need of grants to help with equipment - this includes music and arts participation The full criteria and application forms are on the website www.worcestercathedral.co.uk