Help with Music Lesson fees

Telford & Wrekin Music Bursaries for Music tuition and after school music clubs 2011/12

Telford & Wrekin Music offers:-

• free Music lessons through Telford & Wrekin Music
• a free instrument (were possible) and
• free membership of our after school music clubs

For pupils in Telford & Wrekin schools who are Children in Care or are pupils who are entitled to Free School Meals. There is also currently 25% off lesson charges for those families claiming Working Tax Credits.

Funding will only be agreed on the basis of good attendance and progression by the student, and this funding may be withdrawn or not renewed if the student’s commitment to learning is unsatisfactory.

Telford & Wrekin Music also run a instrument hire scheme for pupils and schools.

Ring the Telford & Wrekin Music office for an application form and further details on 01952 380981.

Awards for Young Musicians

Awards of between £200 and £2,000 are made annually to outstanding young instrumentalists under the age of 18, in any musical genre. Awards may be made for a range of purposes, including private lessons, courses and instrument purchase.

Applicants must provide:

• evidence that they have reached distinction level in their last music exam or other
• evidence of this level of ability
• a reference from a music teacher
• evidence of financial need.

Application forms are available from October each year for costs occurring in the next financial year, the closing date for applications is usually in March or April and awards are made in May.

Next year’s deadline will be Friday 23 March 2012

Website: www.a-y-m.org.uk

Rosalie Inskip Music Trust

Nationally renowned local musician Rosalie Inskip left money in her will to encourage and develop music excellence in the Shropshire and Telford, supporting young musicians who have a particular aptitude. Based on recommendations from the County Music Advisor, the trust often helps young musicians who have achieved national recognition with funding towards instruments and travel.

All applications for support should be made by completing the online application form.

Website: https://forms.shropshire.gov.uk/cus/servlet/ep.app?type=21658&auth=303&ut=X

EMI Foundation Instrument Awards

The Foundation provides grants up to a total of £2,000 towards the purchase of musical instruments and/or equipment for individuals who are in full time education and Schools who require the equipment to fund music education.

The deadline for our next round of applications is: Friday 10th February 2012

Website: www.emimusicsoundfoundation.com/index.php/site/awards/

Take it Away Scheme

Take it away is an Arts Council initiative that aims to make musical instruments more accessible to children and young people by providing interest-free loans of up to £2,000.

The scheme is open to parents buying an instrument for a child under the age of 18, but also 18-25 year olds who can apply  in their own right.  You can use Take it away to borrow between £100 and £2000 towards the costs of your chosen instrument, and you can also include music stands, sheet music and other accessories within the loan.  

You will need to pay a minimum 10% of the loan amount at the point of sale by debit or credit card (or cash/cheque with proof of identity). The rest is then paid back over nine months in equal instalments by direct debit. There is no administrative charge or handling fee when you take out the loan, so you will never be paying more for your purchase than the ticket price.

 Applicants must be:

·         Either over 18 years of age and buying an instrument for a child under the age of 18

·         Or aged 18-25 years if buying for themselves

·         A permanent UK resident

·         Working at least 16 hours per week

 For more information, go to www.takeitaway.org.uk

Paul Harris Foundation Awards

Small awards of up to £100  for young people aged between 12 and 16 which could be used towards

• attending a concert
• course fees
• a lessson with a specialist music teacher
• expensive music

Website: http://www.paulharristeaching.co.uk/ph_foundation/foundation.php

The AMBER Trust Music Awards scheme

The Awards are open to blind or partially sighted children and young people up to the age of 18, who may also have other physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

Parents or carers can apply for Music Awards to fund:-

• music lessons

• music therapy sessions

• the purchase of musical instruments

• music software, such as Sibelius

• concert tickets

• travel related to musical activities

AMBER Music Award Criteria

• Applications will be accepted for children and young people aged from 0-18 years

(funding cannot be provided after their 19th birthdays).

• All applications should be made by a child’s parents or carers, but can be prepared by a Support Worker or Teacher.

• Applications for instruments or software must include prices and supplier’s details.

• Applications for music lessons or music therapy sessions must include details of the

teacher’s or therapist’s qualifications, experience and CRB clearance.

• In some instances, the AMBER Trust will not provide the full cost and applicants will therefore be required to raise the balance from other sources. They can, of course, use the AMBER pledge to encourage other funding.

• Music Award offers will be held open for a 10-month period, after which they will lapse and a new application would need to be made to The AMBER Trust.

• The AMBER Trust will not fund retrospectively.

Website:- http://www.ambertrust.org/content/blogsection/12/63/

Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme enables pupils at LEA schools to purchase instruments without paying VAT. Thus parents will only pay the discounted Ex-Vat prices quoted on this site.

How does it work?

Once the parent/pupil has chosen an instrument, the school should place a formal order with us as normal. The parent then pays the ex-VAT price to the school (usually when the school places the order). VAT which the school reclaims in the normal way.

What are the rules?

Customs & Excise have laid down rules to ensure the scheme is not abused:

• The student must be in full time education at a Local Authority School.
• The student must be receiving music tuition at the school.
• The instrument must be appropriate for the pupils needs.
• The instrument must be portable.
• The instrument must be handed over from school to pupil in a designated teaching room.
• The instrument must be charged to the pupil/pupil's parents at or below the school's (ex.vat) cost.

Updated February 2012

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