The MTA offers various scholarships on a regular basis to encourage performance experience and further study opportunities for aspiring young musicians and vocalists.
These scholarships are offered in a variety of instrumental and vocal fields. Some scholarships are offered every year, and some are offered in alternate years.
The Music Teachers' Association of NSW Advanced Performer Award
Details to come
The Miriam Hyde Award
The Miriam Hyde Piano Award will be offered at the Junior Music Festival Burwood. The competitor must play a piece composed by Miriam Hyde and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to piano students only, beginners to 8th Grade, duets not permitted. A $150.00 cash prize and a trophy will be awarded to the winner. This section will be offered on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered.
The Mark Matthews Australian Composer Award
Details to come
The Errol Collins Award for Violin or Viola
1. Open to violin and viola students residing in NSW.
2. Maximum age limit is 23 years (inclusive).
3. Maximum age will be determined at the official date of performance.
4. Repertoire presented must be within the requirements set out by the MTA NSW Newcastle Branch. For works requiring a collaborative artist, it is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange the artist. Backing tracks/recorded accompaniment will not be accepted.
5. Two contrasting works for violin or viola are to be presented and may include collaborative artists (piano, small ensemble where violin or viola is the soloist) by arrangement of the performer.
6. Maximum performance time for combined works is 15 minutes.
7. Prizes: $750 will be awarded to the 1st place award winner. A runner up prize of $250 may be awarded if there are 5 or more award entrants, and at the discretion of the adjudicator.
The Wendy Ireland Award for Cello
1. Open to cello students residing in NSW.
2. Maximum age limit is 18 years (inclusive).
3. Maximum age will be determined at the official date of performance.
4. Repertoire presented must be within the requirements set out by MTA NSW Newcastle Branch. For works requiring a collaborative artist, it is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange the artist. Backing tracks/recorded accompaniment will not be accepted.
5. One or two own-choice works are to be presented, which must be for cello, and may include collaborative artists (piano, small ensemble where cello is the soloist) by arrangement of the cellist.
6. Maximum performance time is 12 minutes.
7. Prize: $750 will be awarded to the 1st place award winner.
The Joyce Blewitt Award for Piano
1. Open to piano students residing in NSW, at Grade 6 - 8 (or equivalent).
2. Maximum age limit is 18 years.
3. Maximum age will be determined at the official date of performance.
4. Repertoire presented must be within the requirements set out by MTA NSW Newcastle Branch. Works must be piano solo only. No works which require accompaniment, backing tapes or CDs will be accepted.
5. Two works of contrasting mood and style to be presented.
6. Combined maximum time limit is 8-10 minutes.
7. Prize: $250 will be awarded to the 1st place award winner.
The Nan Price Memorial Scholarship for Piano
1. Open to piano students residing in NSW, at Certificate & Diploma level (or equivalent).
2. Maximum age limit is 23 years.
3. Maximum age will be determined at the official date of performance.
4. Repertoire presented must be within the requirements set out by MTA NSW Newcastle Branch. Works must be piano solo only. No works which require accompaniment, backing tapes or CDs will be accepted.
5. Two works of contrasting mood and style to be presented.
6. Combined maximum time limit is 12 minutes.
7. Prizes: $750 will be awarded to the 1st place winner. A runner up prize of $250 may be awarded if there are 5 or more entrants, at the discretion of the adjudicator.
The Hunter Art Music Vocal Scholarship
1. Open to students residing in in the Hunter & Upper Hunter Region.
2. The MTA invites applications from singers aged 12-18 years.
2. Hunter Art Vocal Scholarship: 12-15yrs Grade 2 or above 16-18yrs Grade 5 or above (documentation or equivalent/endorsement of skill level by qualified vocal teacher).
3. Age limit is determined by the competitor’s age at the 31st December of the year the award is presented.
4. Repertoire presented must be within the requirements set out by MTA NSW Newcastle Branch. For works requiring a collaborative artist, it is the responsibility of the entrant to arrange the artist. Backing tracks/recorded accompaniment will not be accepted.
5. Two contrasting works for voice are to be presented:
- One song from the Art Music genre (excluding popular song/musical theatre/jazz).
- One song by an Australian Composer (any genre).
6. Maximum performance time for combined works is 15 minutes.
7. Prizes: $500 will be awarded to the 1st place award winner. A runner up prize of $250 may be awarded if there are five or more entrants, and at the discretion of the adjudicator.
The Hunter Indigenous Vocal Scholarship
Details to come
Full registration details and regulations for all Scholarships please visit What's Happening event listing.