Music service supporters

Dorset Music Service is the lead organisation in the Dorset Music Education Hub which brings together a range of providers and stakeholders committed to the delivery of local music, arts and cultural education matched to local need. We are proud to have received numerous compliments following some of our music service events. See our most recent Music Service compliments.

Charities who support the Dorset Music Service

See other organisations who support the Dorset Music Service

Information on what financial support and grants are available to support individual pupils who play musical instruments across Dorset, and the charities that support the Dorset Music Service.

Changing Key Dorset

Changing Key Dorset is a new charity which is already providing funding to help support young musicians facing challenging circumstances with the cost of their musical activities.

Whilst Changing Key Dorset is new, its origins are in the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians (RETYM). This well-established local charity recently wound down as an organisation after over 20 years of providing financial assistance to young musicians across Dorset. The RETYM worked with Changing Key Dorset to handover the function of providing financial support to young musicians who face barriers to music education.

Applications for funding from Changing Key Dorset are welcomed from any young musician educated across Dorset, including the wider BCP area. The funding can be used to support a variety of musical activities provided by private or public providers. Funding awards are for up to £300 per year and last for three consecutive academic terms. For more details about funding awards please visit the funding application page on the Changing Key Dorset website.

To become a supporter of Changing Key Dorset and to receive all the latest communications, please sign-up to the mailing list.

John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation

The John Thornton Foundation grants scholarships and bursaries to individual pupils, or groups of pupils attending the Dorset Music Service County Ensembles for achievement.

Other organisations who support the Dorset Music Service

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:
 

1. Evidence that they have reached distinction level in their last music exam, or other evidence of this level of ability
2. A reference from a music teacher
3. 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.

Valentine Alcock Scholarship

The Valentine Alcock Scholarship will pay for a young person to attend a summer school or similar intensive course (often residential), and may also contribute to the cost of an accompanying person if appropriate. Candidates should be aged 14 to 18, have some proficiency/potential in a musical instrument and be of limited means (so that they could not afford to pay for themselves). Applications can be made at any time in the year and are considered promptly as they are received.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Young and Talented Fund

Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr Angus Campbell has just launched an appeal for donations for his Young and Talented Fund set up in partnership with the Dorset Community Foundation.

The fund has been set up to support an array of young people aged between 14 to 21 who have a recognised talent in the areas of sport, the arts, science and beyond, but who need some additional funding (due to personal or financial hardship) to fulfil their ambitions or reach their potential.