Canberra Grammar School proudly offers a range of Music Scholarships designed to nurture exceptional talent and inspire a lifelong love of music. These awards recognise musical excellence, dedication, and contribution to the School’s vibrant performing arts community.
The CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence supports outstanding students entering Year 7 who demonstrate exceptional musical ability and a commitment to performance and leadership.
The Tim Murray Music Scholarship, honouring former Headmaster Tim Murray, celebrates senior students entering Year 11 who show exemplary musicianship, leadership, and passion for music.
The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship provides primary-aged students with financial support to develop their gift for singing, continuing the legacy of long-serving CGS educator Kerry Allen OAM.
The Ann Jory Music Scholarship and the CGS Organ Scholarship offer pianists the rare opportunity to extend their musicianship through organ study, supporting tuition and performance in the School’s liturgical and concert settings.
Together, these scholarships reflect CGS’s enduring commitment to artistic excellence, opportunity, and the transformative power of music.
THE KERRY ALLEN OAM VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship is currently closed.
Kerry Allen OAM was a dedicated Canberra Grammar School educator from 1978 to 2013 who had a passion for all things music and singing. The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship will be established to carry on Kerry’s legacy and to extend opportunities to young students who share her passion and gift for music and singing.
The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship is designed to provide primary-aged students with financial support to explore and extend their gift in singing, with priority given to students with a financial disadvantage.
The Scholarship is awarded to the successful candidate for a three-year period, subject to annual review.
All applicants must:
- Be in Year 5 at the time of commencement
- Be a student at, or be prepared to be a student at Canberra Grammar School; and
- Undertake an interview and audition.
If successful, Vocal Scholars will be required to:
- Attend a weekly vocal lesson
- Participate in Chorale as required; and
- Sing as required for special occasions.
Limitations to the above bursary:
- The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship may not be awarded, entirely at the schools discretion if there is no suitable applicant identified
- Costs for vocal books / resources are not covered by the Scholarship; and
- Fees for enrolment in examinations / eisteddfod / piano accompanist if required are not covered by the Scholarship.
Please email the Music Department at music@cgs.act.edu.au to apply or if you have further questions.
THE ANN JORY MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Ann Jory Music Scholarship is currently closed.
Through the generous donations from a member of the Canberra community, we are delighted to offer the following Organ Scholarships open to applicants entering Years 6 to 10.
Applications are open throughout the month of February, one year prior to the first year of Scholarship (i.e. February 2023 for 2024 Scholarship). Applicants must be in Years 5 to 9 at the time of application and audition.
This is a rare and exceptional opportunity for ongoing piano students to extend their keyboard abilities and master a new instrument: the organ. The Ann Jory Scholarship is awarded to the successful candidate for a three-year period, subject to annual review. This Scholarship supports the cost of organ tuition with the school’s organ tutor up to a value of $2,500 per annum. The full cost of annual tuition (45-minute, weekly lessons) is $3,250; the parents/guardians of the scholar are required to pay the balance ($750).
CGS ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP
The CGS Organ Scholarship is currently closed.
Up to three CGS Organ Scholarships may be awarded each year, for one year only with the possibility of renewal. A Scholarship supports the cost of organ tuition with the school’s organ tutor up to a value of $2,500 per annum. The full cost of annual tuition (45-minute, weekly lessons) is $3,250; the parents of the scholarship recipients are required to pay the balance ($750).
All applicants must:
- Have passed at least a Grade 6 piano examination
- Be in Years 5 to 9 at the time of application
- Be a student at, or be prepared to be a student at Canberra Grammar School; and
- Undertake an interview and audition.
Applicants may be shortlisted prior to audition. At the audition an applicant will be required to play on the piano:
- One piece of their own choice that demonstrates their technical ability
- One Hymn – music will be provided in advance; and
- A short piece to sight-read that the audition panel will provide on the day.
If successful, Organ Scholars will be required to:
- Attend a weekly organ lesson
- Play the organ as required for regular school Chapel Services; and
- Play the organ as required for special occasions.
Please email the Music Department at music@cgs.act.edu.auto apply or if you have further questions.
CGS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
The CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence is currently open.
The Year 7 CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence
Canberra Grammar School awards one CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence to a prospective or current CGS student entering Year 7.
The CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence is awarded to a student who demonstrates an outstanding musical ability.
Scholarship Eligibility and Application Requirements:
- Applicants must be in Year 5, or the academic equivalent, at the time of application, exam and audition
- Applicants must submit a complete application with payment and all requested documents
- Applicants must apply for the CGS Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence as a minimum requirement
- Applicants must participate in the academic exam and attend an audition; and
- Applicants must have achieved a minimum instrumental standard of 6th Grade AMEB or the equivalent at the time of application.
Scholarship Obligations:
- Scholars must achieve a high Academic Progress Grade in their studies each semester
- Scholars must maintain satisfactory conduct and effort which will be reviewed annually for the duration of the Scholarship
- Scholars must be prepared to mentor the younger Scholars of the School to help them reach their potential
- Scholars must be committed to participating in CGS Music Co-curricular Programmes including at least one CGS Instrumental Ensemble and one CGS Choir
- Scholars must undertake music lessons either at the School or externally as approved by the Director of Music; and
- Scholars must enrol in Music elective subjects for the duration of their enrolment at Canberra Grammar School from Year 8 to Year 12.
Scholarship Entitlements:
- Recognition as a CGS Scholar from the commencement of Year 7 and subsequent graduation from Year 12
- A remission of 20% of tuition fees for the duration of the student’s enrolment at Canberra Grammar School from Year 7 to Year 12; and
- The exemption from payment of the School Renewal Charge for prospective students is requested on acceptance of an offer to attend the School.
Scholarship Exclusions and Limitations:
- Scholarship fee remission applies to tuition fees only
- It is only possible to receive one Scholarship tuition fee remission during the student’s enrolment; and
- Full Fee-Paying Overseas Students (FFPOS) will only be entitled to a remission on a portion of the tuition fees as determined by the Business Office.
THE TIM MURRAY MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Tim Murray Music Scholarship is currently closed.
The recipient of the Tim Murray Music Scholarship is someone who has a demonstrably outstanding musical ability. The Scholarship is to be awarded in recognition of the contribution and passion for music of former Headmaster, Tim Murray and his belief in and support for the performing arts.
The application criteria for the Tim Murray scholarship are:
- A minimum instrumental standard of 7th Grade AMEB or the equivalent at the time of application
- Must be enrolled in either HSC or IB academic music for years 11 & 12
- Must be prepared to contribute to the co-curricular music life of the School; and
- An audition and interview.
One scholarship for Years 11 and 12 is offered and is open to new or current students seeking to enter Year 11.
The attributes of a Tim Murray Music Scholar:
- Music is your passion – Showing evidence of outstanding musical potential and a desire to fully commit to the musical life of CGS
- Commitment – To achieving individual musical excellence and encouraging excellence in others
- Leadership and Enthusiasm – An excellent role model, willing to share your musical skills with other students across the whole school; and
- The Future – Demonstrate a desire to pursue tertiary music study.
The Tim Murray Music Scholarship will provide:
- Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at CGS.
