The Irish Heritage Music Bursaries
Irish Heritage is alert to the need to encourage young Irish performers and composers not only with performance opportunities but also with financial support as they transition from college to professional life.
Thanks to the success of the charity’s fund-raising and to the support of generous donors and organisations such as the Ireland Funds, Irish Heritage is currently able to offer three valuable bursaries and a special award.
Apply by emailThe Music Bursary for Performance
The Music Bursary for Performance was first awarded in 2015 and already has a distinguished list of recipients. The bursary, worth £5,000, is awarded to a first or second generation Irish student continuing her or his music education in Britain.
Students are nominated by this country’s leading music conservatoires and colleges to attend auditions held in the Wigmore Hall in London in November. The successful recipient also receives a London debut at an Irish Heritage event.
The previous recipients of The Music Bursary for Performance are:
The Brackaville Bursary for Vocal Studies
The Brackaville Bursary for Vocal Studies which was launched in 2019, is open to first and second generation Irish students attending recognised music conservatoires and colleges in Britain. It operates in parallel with Irish Heritage’s existing bursary for performance and is awarded to the singer who performs best in the auditions for the latter in the Wigmore Hall in London each November. In addition to a cash award of £2,500 the recipient will receive a performance opportunity at an Irish Heritage event in London.
The previous recipients of The Brackaville Bursary for Vocal Studies are:
The Music Bursary for Composition
The Music Bursary for Composition which was introduced in 2018, is open to young first and second generation Irish composers studying at recognised music conservatoires and other colleges in Ireland and Britain. The recipient of the successful composition receives an award of £3,000 to be used in furthering their artistic and professional development with their new composition receiving its world premiere at an Irish Heritage event in London.
The previous recipients of The Music Bursary for Composition are:
The Accompanist’s Award
In addition, Irish Heritage presents a special Accompanist’s Award (valued at £500) associated with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. There are guaranteed performance opportunities both with the Festival and Irish Heritage including a world premiere of the successful composition.
The previous recipients of The Accompanist’s Award are:
Get in touch for more information
Contact UsI am forever grateful to Irish Heritage for supporting me so generously on my musical journey. Irish Heritage is an extraordinary organisation that supports Irish musicians and composers starting out on their music careers. Thank you Irish Heritage for providing so many exceptional opportunities, invaluable experiences and networking.
- Amy Gillen, flautist – Royal College of Music Tagore Gold Medallist, Irish Heritage bursary recipient, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival bursary recipient and many other prizes.