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Orchestral scholarships

Orchestral scholarships

Cash award of £700 a year and training, leadership and performance opportunities

Our Orchestral Scholarships are available to high-level orchestral performers who are studying any subject (you do not need to be studying a music degree).

Scholars hold leadership positions with the university's Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, as well as performing together as an ensemble.

Training is provided with the London Mozart Players and orchestral coaching from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia, English Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Coaching is also available from our resident Tippett Quartet along with the opportunity to participate in projects with the Chiltern Music Academy.

Am I eligible?

If you play one of the following instruments, we would encourage you to apply (in order of priority). If you play a different instrument, you can still apply as scholarships are awarded on merit and talent:

  • Viola
  • Double bass
  • Cello
  • Horn
  • Low brass
  • Violin

How do I apply?

Applications have now closed. 

It is possible that late applications can be accepted, but not guaranteed. Please email rebecca.miller@royalholloway.ac.uk for more information.

Meet our orchestral scholars

I play the violin and am concertmaster of the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Holloway Chamber Orchestra. I have been playing the violin since the age of four and have been lucky enough to play in orchestras since the age of seven. I have been a part of Birmingham Schools’ orchestras, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and Street Orchestra Live. I also studied at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music where I led the symphony orchestra.

I have been lucky enough to perform Tchaikovskys Violin Concerto with the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra as a winner of our Concerto Competition here.

Growing up in a musical family, I began my study on the violin at the age of seven, progressing through the ABRSM grades and RSM diploma during primary and secondary school years.

After joining Redbridge Music Services at the age of 12, I have had many performance opportunities, playing at several large-scale venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Ilford Town Hall.  Competing in the Stratford Music Festivals during my time at Redbridge Music School encouraged me to perform as a soloist at school and university. So far at Royal Holloway, I have performed for graduation ceremonies and Open Days, providing people with a taste of performance life at university. The orchestral scholarship has encouraged me to develop my skills as a performer and ensemble player in orchestra and I am thankful for every opportunity it gives me.

 

I am from Singapore and have been playing violin for the past nine years. I played for my school's orchestra for six years, serving as Section Leader, Student Conductor, Secretary and Vice President, serving the orchestra through organising events and participating in concerts and festivals held nationally and school wide. Being an orchestral scholar in the Royal Holloway Symphony and Chamber Orchestra has given me a lot of exposure and valuable insights to orchestral rehearsals and performances, and has been very enjoyable. 

I started playing violin and piano at the age of six and went on to play in the Eastbourne Youth Orchestra as part of the violin section where I had the opportunity to perform in many concerts at local churches and prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall. On earning a music scholarship at Eastbourne College, I was part of the Symphony Orchestra and string ensemble and alongside my studies, I participated in the East Sussex Youth Orchestra, playing pieces such as Piano concerto no. 2. Since joining Royal Holloway on an orchestral scholarship, I have had the opportunity to play in many concerts and take part in workshops including playing alongside the London Mozart Players. 

I studied violin and viola at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester where my teachers included Professors Jan Repko, Jiafeng Chen, Ben Holland, and Graham Oppenheimer. I am a holder of the Licentiate LTCL Diploma with Distinction in Violin performance, achieved at the age of 17, and I was accepted to study at the Royal College of Music in London. However, I declined this in favour of studying a Liberal Arts Degree at Royal Holloway.

I am a winner of the Carlisle Music Festival, Lanercost Young Musician of the Year Competition, and Geoffery Blake Award at the Keldwyth Award Competition. I’ve extensively performed solo at the Chetham's Carol Nash Hall, Manchester Cathedral, Alderley Edge and many other venues, as well as having participated in numerous masterclasses. I was honoured to be a leader of Serenata and Violetta chamber ensembles, the leader of violas in the Chetham's Symphony Orchestra and now a leader of violas in the Royal Holloway Orchestra.

I'm principal cellist in the Symphony Orchestra and have really enjoyed being a part of this orchestra community. I've always really enjoyed performance and have taken part in lots of orchestras from a young age, both youth orchestras and small string ensembles. I really enjoy playing a range of different genres of music, focusing on Romantic music.

Outside of orchestral performing, I have also taken part in recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios, as well as some song writing for YouTube. As well as this I have performed as a member of quartet for several different events and incorporated a variety of music genres from pop to Bollywood. Being a member of orchestra has been a great opportunity to grow and learn new skills, as well as making connections and friendships that will lead to new adventures. 

From the age of two, I showed an interest in the world of music. I heard a flautist busking while I was on holiday and since then I always wanted to learn. Throughout my education I worked hard to achieve all my grades and tried to grasp every performance opportunity by entering local music competitions, which gave me the experience to learn from other young aspiring flute players. To develop my musicianship further I was awarded a music scholarship to Epsom College, where I achieved my ARSM and LTCL diplomas. I love flute playing because of the wide and exciting range of repertoire we get to learn, equally the valued history that comes alongside this instrument.

I have always loved orchestral playing and being a part of something bigger. Being a member of an orchestra is like being a player on a team. We all must work together to produce something great. I joined my local youth orchestra where I had the chance to play alongside professional musicians such as the London Philharmonic and the Grenadier Guards. After applying for music at Royal Holloway I was delighted to be offered an Orchestral Scholarship. This opportunity has given me the chance to play some challenging repertoire, including Dvoraks Symphony No 8 and Tchaikovskys Violin Concerto. I have gained leadership skills within my section and learning more about each instrument within the orchestra. Through my scholarship I have also experienced tuition through the London Mozart Players, their insightful support and advice has given me a greater development within my own sound.

I started learning the oboe at the age of ten and soon began to take part in several ensembles at secondary school. However, my love for orchestral playing began at 14 when I successfully auditioned for the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and was placed on principal oboe. Whilst in the LPYO, I received coaching and played alongside the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and was conducted by Vasily Petrenko. The youth orchestra also offered many opportunities such as performing in Liverpools St. George's Hall in a wind dectet and performing jazz piano in the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Big Band.

I also participated in the Wilfred Owen Commemoration in 2018, performing the world premiere of a woodwind quartet. During my school years I achieved the May Frizzel Memorial Prize for the highest score for ABRSM grade 8 oboe and in my first year at Royal Holloway I was awarded the Pompilia Legge Musical Scholarship for the best first year performance. In my second year I also had the wonderful opportunity to perform Coplands Quiet City on cor anglais.

I've been learning instruments since I was four, and started the clarinet when I was eight. Since then, I've consistently performed with orchestras, including going on an orchestral tour to Prague when I was 14. I also performed with chamber music ensembles and entered competitions, such as the South East Schools Chamber Music Competition, which I won in 2017. The same year I successfully auditioned for Guildhall School of Music and Drama's junior programme and began studying there too. I auditioned for the orchestral scholarship at Royal Holloway and have been greatly enjoying playing in the Royal Holloway Orchestras since.

I have played the French horn since the age of seven. I gained a music scholarship at Clayesmore School in Dorset where I was taught French horn by Robert Harris of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and participated in many concerts and recitals including my favourite, an annual concerto festival. I have achieved an ARSM diploma on the horn, Grade 8 Voice (distinction) and Grade 6 piano (distinction).

I received two scholarship offers to study French horn at conservatoires but chose Royal Holloway due to the broad range of brilliant musical opportunities it offers in such a welcoming and friendly community. I have really enjoyed all of the opportunities I have benefited from so far at Royal Holloway, especially those offered to me as an orchestral scholar. Last year, in the Symphony orchestra, I got the opportunity to work with orchestral professionals including the London Mozart Players (LMP) performing numerous concerts including one in Shoreditch London, as well as singing in the Founders Choir throughout the year and on their Paris tour. So far this year, I have again benefited from working with the LMP, this time in their side-by-side programme with the Chamber Orchestra (formed of scholars and select players from the Symphony Orchestra) where I have received valuable one on one advice during rehearsals from a member of the LMP.

I was first introduced to playing the cornet when I was seven at primary school and instantly got the bug and began practising every day. As well as school bands, I joined the Elland Silver Youth Band playing cornet and then flugelhorn, where I played regular concerts and competitions around Europe. During sixth form, I took up the trumpet where I studied under Gareth Small at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester where symphonic and chamber opportunities were frequent, as well as big band and smaller ensemble jazz groups. Moving to Royal Holloway to study Physics with Music, I continue to play in the RH Symphony Orchestra as well as, recently, the Fidelio Orchestra and London City Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

I am a musician on the trombone and voice and also play piano. I have gained considerable musical experience playing in the symphony orchestra under Rebecca, and have greatly enjoyed working with the other students towards the fantastic concerts we have put on as an ensemble. These have been incredibly fun and memorable experiences for me, and I feel privileged to have shared in them with such fantastic players.

Following my five years of study as an instrumentalist and vocalist in the Junior Department of The Royal College of Music, I feel I bring strong commitment, professionalism and dedication towards creating a high standard of music-making both within the symphony & chamber orchestra and other ensembles within the music department here at Royal Holloway. Looking towards the future, I am very excited to what this year will bring in terms of opportunities for more playing! 

I’m an Orchestral Scholar and play in the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist. I have played for the Rhondda Symphony Orchestra, Rhondda Cynon Taf Youth Orchestra, Four Counties Youth Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Wales and the Welsh Sinfonia Orchestra. I’ve also played for Llwydcoed Brass Band and have competed at the Royal Albert Hall for the Brass Band National Championships of Great Britian. I am a member of 1st section The Egham Band and also Royal Holloway Brass Band.  I accompanied for Dare to Sing Choir and also teach pupils at St Jude's School, Egham, to sing. I played the Organ at St Winifred's Church, Penrhiwceiber, since the age of 13 and I’ve attained Grade 8 in percussion, clarinet and piano. 

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