A Downe House concert

Berkshire independent boarding school for girls, Downe House, has widened its music scholarship programme with new awards created.

The school’s music department employs nine full-time members of staff, as well as a musician in residence, the choral composer and conductor Bob Chilcott.

The new awards include a music scholarship open to all years of entry, the Chilcott Choral Scholarship, an internally granted award for 14-plus named after the school’s musician in residence, and an organ scholarship open to 16-plus and a separate organ award which is open to all years of entry.

Dr Charlotte Exon, director of music at Downe House said: “This is really about recognising the incredible musical talent of young people today, but on a broader level. The organ scholarships in particular, will give our students the opportunity to take on the identity and confidence of an organ scholar in their own right. We are also delighted to be offering the Chilcott Choral Scholarship. Bob Chilcott takes a special interest in these young scholars, with individual mentoring and an array of performance opportunities. This award will really open doors for them in the musical world.”

Each music scholar is allocated a music mentor, who they work closely with on developing personal targets, exploring the wider spectrum of musical opportunities available, and embracing their individual ambitions. All scholars hare offered specialist enrichment programmes and opportunities to perform in the school’s chapel. There are also opportunities to experience a broad range of music externally, from concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House, to taking part in masterclasses and jazz workshops. Organ and choral scholarships also include optional scholarship mentoring for Oxbridge.

Exon commented: “Being a music award holder at Downe House is an honour, but it is also an exhilarating adventure. Our scholars demonstrate musical leadership across the whole school community. They perform as soloists and in chamber groups, and they are also members of our instrumental and vocal ensembles.”