The Stanhill Violin Award Scheme aims to help aspiring young musicians to experience playing on an instrument that would otherwise not be available to them. The violin, owned by the Stanhill Methodist Church in Lancashire, is over 130 years old and has been faithfully restored and played back to a high-performance level.
The scheme is operated as a partnership between the church and the Lancashire Music Service. The violin and bow is available for loan for a year. Applications are invited from young people resident in Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. Applicants may be nominated and supported by tutors, parents and/or relevant organisation.
The successful applicant will be chosen by a panel including professional musicians and a representative of the Lancashire Music Service involving an initial video submission and final interview involving an in-person audition. The scheme will run from September for twelve months and end in a concert performance held at the Stanhill Methodist Chapel.
This is a unique learning opportunity for a young musician. The criteria and application process are as follows:
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applicants will:
• be no older than 19 on 31st August of the year of application
• be playing violin at Grade 6 or above
• studying music at Key Stage 4 or 5
• demonstrate commitment to pursuing musical studies beyond compulsory education
• lack the means to acquire a quality musical instrument
• be resident in Lancashire, Blackpool or Blackburn with Darwen
AUDITIONS
Initial Video Submission
Applicants are asked to submit by 9 June 2023 an initial 5-minute video of themselves playing violin in slow and faster excerpts from a piece or pieces of music of their choice. They will also be required to accompany the video with a summary of a maximum of 150 words explaining their reasons for applying. The videos and text must be submitted by email to the following address. Applicants aged under 18 will require the consent of their parent or guardian to submit the video which will be deleted once assessments are completed. The applicants may be supported in their application by their parents or guardians, tutors or teachers.
Applications with the video and text should be sent to stanhillmethodists@outlook.com.
Final Auditions
Following a review of the entries a shortlist of applicants will be prepared for informal physical auditions. The auditions will be held on the afternoon of 30 June 2023 and involve
a brief demonstration performance and an exploration of the applicant’s current experience and aspirations. The panel will then select the successful applicant.
AWARD PRESENTATION
The violin and bow will be presented to the successful applicant at the culmination of a music festival recital to be held at Stanhill Methodist Church at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 16 September 2023.
TIMELINE 2023/24
• 9/6/23: deadline for submission of video applications
• 16/6/23: initial panel assessment of applications
• 30/6/23: panel auditions Stanhill Methodist Chapel
• 16/9/23: presentation at Stanhill Methodist Heritage Festival
