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Being in the music business can be hugely rewarding but there may also be times when, whatever your age, help is needed because of financial or funding problems, accident, illness or even old age.
This is where the Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF) can help.
The MBF is the music business's own charity - the largest of its kind in the UK and helps hundreds of musicians throughout the UK, young and old, each year by making available funding to the tune of millions of pounds.
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| Empirical, MBF Education award winners in 2008
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Last year it spent over £2.5 million helping around 1,500 music professionals of any age and in any area of the music business who were in need. Each case is treated individually and in the strictest of confidence. The MBF has helped everyone from violin teachers, trumpeters and singers through to instrument repairers and music publishers.
Supporting young talent
In addition to supporting professional and retired musicians, the MBF also plays a major role in education, through its remit to encourage the next generation of professional musicians. This is based on providing financial support to outstandingly talented young musicians. In 2008, almost 350 young people, ranging from school age to those at the outset of their professional lives, benefited from awards totalling £475,000. In addition, almost £350,000 was awarded to organisations which provide advanced training and performance opportunities to outstanding young musicians. Below are details of some of the awards currently available to young people.
In 2006, more than 330 young people, ranging from school age to those at the outset of their professional lives, benefited from awards totalling £470,000. In addition, over £300,000 was awarded to organisations which provide advanced training and performance opportunities to outstanding young musicians. Below are details of some of the awards currently available to young people.
The MBF Young Talent Awards
These awards provide funding of up to £1,000 to successful applicants who are under 18. The funding can go towards the cost of an instrument, private music lessons or fees. Funding for musical instrument purchase is also available to musicians who are 18 and about to enter their first year at university or college. The closing date is 1 June 2009.
The MBF String Awards
These are for exceptional violinists and cellists under the age of 21. The closing date for applications will be in the autumn. Awards of up to £3,000 are available.
The MBF Songwriting Award
These awards are available to talented young songwriters who are studying on an undergraduate or postgraduate popular / commercial music course in the UK. Applicants should be nominated by their head of course and the closing date for applications will be in the autumn.
The MBF Music Education Awards
Awards are made towards full-time postgraduate study costs (fees or maintenance) and for the purchase of musical instruments. The awards may range between £1,000 and £5,000. There are also named scholarships available through these awards of up to £5,000 each. The closing date for this scheme was in February 2009.
The MBF Awards for Accompanists and Répétiteurs
These awards are made for full-time postgraduate study. Accompanists must be under 27 years of age and répétiteurs must be under the age of 30. Awards are likely to range between £1,500 and £3,500.
The Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Awards
Also available for postgraduate students, these awards are for study in musical theatre. Awards may range between £1,000 and £5,000. The closing date will be in May 2009.
The Maggie Teyte Prize and Miriam Licette Scholarship
Available to female singers, the Maggie Teyte Prize is £2,000 together with a recital in association with the Friends of Covent Garden for the Royal Opera House. The winner will also be awarded a Miriam Licette Scholarship of £1,500 for advanced study and further scholarships may be available. The application deadline will be in November 2009.
The Peter Whittingham Award for Jazz
The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award of £4,000 is for a project and is awarded annually to an individual jazz musician or group showing talent and innovation. This project may be in recording, composition or performance and must be in the field of cutting-edge jazz. The closing date will be in October.
Funding database
In addition to these individual award schemes, the MBF provides an indispensable online database of sources of funding called the Funding Wizard. The database lists the various MBF awards as well as many others offered by other organisations.
If you have any questions about the MBF Education work then please call the Education Department on 020 7299 8356 or email awards@mbf.org.uk.
For more information about the MBF including the Education awards, closing dates for applications, the Funding Wizard and the MBF benevolent work visit www.mbf.org.uk or contact:
Musicians Benevolent Fund
16 Ogle Street
London
W1W 6JA
Tel: 020 7636 4481
E-mail: info@mbf.org.uk
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