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Contemporary Music scholarships and awards

Please note, values provided are indicative only, as true values will either be determined by the amount of interest accrued from the trust, or are conditional upon ongoing donations.

There may be further scholarships or awards offered through the year, depending on external donations.

This page lists contemporary music-specific scholarships, and general Faculty of VCA and MCM scholarships, for which contemporary music students are eligible.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

AGNES ROBERTSON SCHOLARSHIP FOR PIANO
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 1 Every 6 years - next in 2018
Value (indicative) Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$7,000 per annum for 3 years Piano (Contemporary in 2012, Classical in 2015) 1st year (incoming) - undergraduate
This scholarship is open to 1st year contemporary piano students, who are permanent residents of Australia. The scholarship will be awarded for 3 years, pending successful academic progress and available funds.
SAF MUSIC PROVIDENT GRANTS 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here April, semester 1 & orientation week, semester 2
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$13,000 total - multiple awards available Contemporary music students only All year levels
The purpose of the fund is to assist students by providing or making available grants of up to $500 for various purposes incidental to their study at the Faculty. Suitable purposes related to their area of study may include:
  • software 
  • instrument purchase or repair 
  • conference or festival registration 
  • materials 
  • text books, scores, plays, etc. 
The funds cannot be used for the hire of people, for example:
  • lessons 
  • accompanists 
  • associate artists or 
  • crew
KEITH G CHAPMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP  
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 1
 Discretionary
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
Discretionary Contemporary Music All year levels
Scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Head of Contemporary Music. 
WILL POSKITT PIANO SCHOLARSHIP 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 1
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$1,500 Piano All year levels
This scholarship will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated excellence as a performer, and personal contribution to the general musical activities of the faculty.
MARION THOMAS AWARD
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 1
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$6,000 total - multiple awards available Improvisation performance All year levels
This scholarship will be awarded for outstanding achievement in the field of performance and the consistency of the student’s studies and contribution to musical activities in the Victorian community.  
ADOLPH SPIVAKOVSKY SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE COMPOSITION OF MUSIC 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open June Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$5,000 Contemporary Music only Students must have satisfactorily completed first year of a bachelor of Music degree anywhere in Australia; and be enrolled anywhere in Australia, as a Principal Study Composition student, in a bachelor or higher degree in music performance.
The purpose of the scholarship is to promote, encourage and stimulate the art of musical composition in Australia. Composers are invited to write for a specifed ensemble (provided once applications open). The piece must be written for a total duration of 6-8 minutes, and text used must be in the public domain or copyrighted to the composer.
Applicants must provide a score (including parts) for specifed ensemble, consisting of 4-6 instruments, and a sample recording of the work (MIDI is acceptable). The work will be performed by the one of the departments at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.  
ALAN C ROSE MEMORIAL TRUST SCHOLARSHIP 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open Orientation Week, semester 2
Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$13,00 total - multiple awards available BMus and BFA (Contemporary Music) Honours and graduate students
These scholarships are provided for project grants to music students in the Faculty. Applications may be for individuals or groups. Project proposals should include a community focus or outcome. The recipient/s will be asked to address the student cohort in the following year to promote the scholarship. 
LIONEL GELL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR IMPROVISATION
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 2
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$9,000 Improvisation only 2nd year - undergraduate
This scholarship is available to 2nd year students (to be paid in their 3rd year) and applicants will be judged on the basis of merit and financial need. The scholarship is for both fee relief and a bursary, paid in installments through the year.   
LIONEL GELL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR COMPOSITION
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 2
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$9,000 BMus and BFA composition 2nd year - undergraduate
This scholarship is available to 2nd year students (to be paid in their 3rd year) and applicants will be judged on the basis of merit and financial need. The scholarship is for both fee relief and a bursary, paid in installments through the year.   
IVAN OLIVER LISTENING MUSICIAN AWARD
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 2
 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$400 Jazz or improvisation performance only All year levels
The purpose of the award is to encourage promising students who otherwise for any reason would be unable or would struggle to complete their studies.
DR PHILLIP LAW MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 2 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$3,000 Contemporary Music only Any year level
The scholarship is to be awarded to the student who exhibits the greatest excellence in innovative performance and commitment to their studies and activities offered by the faculty. Candidates for the scholarship are to submit an application outlining why they think they are innovative. Short-listed students are to attend a brief audition and interview.
ORLOFF FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 2 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$3,500 total - multiple awards available Contemporary Music only Any year level
This award/s is available to a high-ranking student/s in the School of Contemporary Music, and is awarded at the discretion of the Head of School. 
JOHN GAITSKELL MEMORIAL MENSA PRIZE
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 2 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$1,000 Contemporary music only 3rd year - undergraduate
This annual prize is offered to a 3rd year contemporary music student in faculty who demonstrates great apptitude in performance and is deemed worthy of encouragement.
KEITH AND ELISABETH MURDOCH TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP FOR MUSIC
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open April, semester 1 Biennially, next in 2013
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$20,000 VCA Music school graduates Graduates from any course offered through VCA's School of Music/Contemporary Music, who graduated within the previous 4 years.
Applicants for this scholarship must have graduated, or be eligible to graduate, from the discipline of Contemporary Music/VCA Music at the faculty or the College within the four years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application for the fellowship and be an Australian citizen or have resided in Australia for the four yearsimmediately preceding the date of submission of the application for the fellowship.

 

GENERAL FACULTY OF VCA AND MCM SCHOLARSHIPS

CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 1 2013
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$8,000 per annum for 3 years General Faculty - 9 awarded, 1 for each discipline 1st year (incoming) - undergraduate

This scholarship will be awarded the most outstanding incoming 1st year student in each discipline, as judged by the respective Heads of School. The Creative Scholars must agree to adhere to the following conditions:

  • requires you to enrol in full time study in the first year of your course and cannot be deferred in the first year;
  • requires confirmation of acceptance and enrolment in the your course each year;
  • is only tenable provided you continue in this course – the scholarship would no longer be available if you were to defer the specialisation for which you were offered the course, or continue with another University of Melbourne degree;
  • requires you to attain satisfactory academic progress for the term of your undergraduate degree (up to three years in total);
  • is only valid until 2015 should you take a leave of absence at any point;would be reviewed before its continuation was assured should you elect to change your major; and
  • may be paid pro rata if you were to pursue part-time study in subsequent years. 

For more information, terms and schedules, please visit Creative Scholarships.
CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR DISADVANTAGED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 1 2013
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$9,500 per annum for 3 years General Faculty - 9 awarded, 1 for each discipline 1st year (incoming) - undergraduate

This scholarship will be awarded the incoming 1st year students judged the most disadvantaged and in financial need in each discipline, as judged by the respective Heads of School. The Creative Scholars must agree to adhere to the following conditions:

  • requires you to enrol in full time study in the first year of your course and cannot be deferred in the first year;
  • requires confirmation of acceptance and enrolment in the your course each year;
  • is only tenable provided you continue in this course – the scholarship would no longer be available if you were to defer the specialisation for which you were offered the course, or continue with another University of Melbourne degree;
  • requires you to attain satisfactory academic progress for the term of your undergraduate degree (up to three years in total);
  • is only valid until 2015 should you take a leave of absence at any point;would be reviewed before its continuation was assured should you elect to change your major; and
  • may be paid pro rata if you were to pursue part-time study in subsequent years. 

For more information, terms and schedules, please visit Creative Scholarships.
CASSIDY BEQUEST SCHOLARSHIPS 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 1 Annual
Value (indicative)
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$24,000 total - multiple awards available BMus; BFA - Contempory music and Music Theatre; Theatre; Production Any year level
These scholarships will be awarded to talented students to overcome barriers to university education by alleviating some of the costs associated with higher education study. Applicants will be assessed on merit and on financial need.
MARGARET LAWRENCE SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 2 Annual
Value (indicative)
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$4,000 All disciplines, targeted to Film and Television Any year level
The income of the fund is to be applied to provide the awards for students at the faculty to enable them to pursue eligible projects in film or other art forms. Eligible projects are projects which are designed to raise awareness and debate in the broader community about a wide range of global and local issues which do, or could, have an adverse impact on the communities within which those issues are evident or emerging.
FRIENDS OF THE VCA AWARDS 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 2 Annual
Value (indicative)
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$20,000 total - multiple awards available All disciplines at the VCA Any year level
Multiple awards are provided to encourage students through their studies at the VCA.
CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENTS
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Through nomination from the school Semester 1 2013 & 2014
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$12,000 per annum for 2 years General Faculty - 8 awarded, 1 for each discipline 1st year (incoming) - Masters students

This scholarship will be awarded the incoming 1st year Masters students judged the most disadvantaged and in financial need in each discipline, as judged by the respective Heads of School. The Creative Scholars must agree to adhere to the following conditions:

  • requires you to enrol in full time study in the first year of your course and cannot be deferred in the first year;
  • requires confirmation of acceptance and enrolment in the your course each year;
  • is only tenable provided you continue in this course – the scholarship would no longer be available if you were to defer the specialisation for which you were offered the course, or continue with another University of Melbourne degree;
  • requires you to attain satisfactory academic progress for the term of your degree (up to two years in total);
  • is only valid until 2015 should you take a leave of absence at any point;would be reviewed before its continuation was assured should you elect to change your major; and
  • may be paid pro rata if you were to pursue part-time study in subsequent years. 

For more information, terms and schedules, please visit Creative Scholarships.
CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR DISADVANTAGED GRADUATE STUDENTS
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here Open orientation week, semester 1 2013 & 2014
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$14,500 per annum for 2 years General Faculty - 8 awarded, 1 for each discipline 1st year (incoming) - Masters students

This scholarship will be awarded the incoming 1st year Masters students judged the most disadvantaged and in financial need in each discipline, as judged by the respective Heads of School. The Creative Scholars must agree to adhere to the following conditions:

  • requires you to enrol in full time study in the first year of your course and cannot be deferred in the first year;
  • requires confirmation of acceptance and enrolment in the your course each year;
  • is only tenable provided you continue in this course – the scholarship would no longer be available if you were to defer the specialisation for which you were offered the course, or continue with another University of Melbourne degree;
  • requires you to attain satisfactory academic progress for the term of your degree (up to two years in total);
  • is only valid until 2015 should you take a leave of absence at any point;would be reviewed before its continuation was assured should you elect to change your major; and
  • may be paid pro rata if you were to pursue part-time study in subsequent years. 

For more information, terms and schedules, please visit Creative Scholarships.
JIM MARKS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here April, semester 1 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$12,500 total - multiple awards available All disciplines Graduate students only
This scholarship is provided to support outstanding postgraduate student/s in any of the disciplines taught at the faculty. Candidates for the scholarship must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent; have been accepted into any postgraduate course offered by the faculty; be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia; and be in financial need.
FACULTY GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS 
Method of award Timing of award Frequency of award
Apply here April, semester 1 Annual
Value (indicative) 
 Eligible discipline or specialisation Eligible year level
$30,000 total - multiple awards available All disciplines Graduate students only

The purpose of the fund is to assist students by providing or making available grants of up to $500 for various purposes incidental to their study at the Faculty. Suitable purposes related to their area of study may include:

  • software 
  • instrument purchase or repair 
  • conference or festival registration 
  • materials 
  • text books, scores, plays, etc. 

The funds cannot be used for the hire of people, for example:

  • lessons 
  • accompanists 
  • associate artists or 
  • crew