Music scholarships awarded to talented students

Attenborough Arts Centre is proud to support University of Leicester students through the Alumni and Philharmonia Scholarship scheme. Every year the most talented musicians and singers across the University compete for one of the prestigious University music scholarships generously funded through donations by University Alumni. 

Over 400 students from across all disciplines participate in student music societies every year making it one of the most vibrant areas of student engagement at the University. In keeping with the University’s commitment to diversity, music groups span all genre of music from orchestral music to rock and pop, bhangra to big band, barber shop quartets to gospel choirs,

The scholarships provide opportunities to either access high quality music tuition with local professional musicians or receive one-on-one training from members of the world class Philharmonia Orchestra, with whom the University has a long-term partnership. In return the scholars actively contribute to the musical life of the University including the provision of free concerts to disabled people as part of the AAC Lunchtime concerts, Soundbites.

We are delighted to announce this year’s winners.

Philharmonia Scholarships

  • Andrew (Joseph) Stubbs, double bass
  • Caroleen Molenaar, flute
  • Lauren Nicholls, flute
  • Rory Mclaurin, oboe
  • Abdullah Garewal, trumpet

Alumni Scholarships

  • James Trivett, guitar
  • Kathryn Patterson, piano/sax
  • Rebecca Hughes, piano (+vocal)
  • Faye Balcombe, saxophone
  • Sogo Moriyama, vibraphone
  • Mimi Bird, viola
  • Alice Chambers, voice
  • Anna Enning, voice
  • Sasha Lawrence, voice
  • Annie Nair

Paul Jenkins, the University’s Honorary Director of Music, said: “This year we were delighted to have 26 applicants for our music scholarships. Students showed wonderful ability and we were able to award 15 scholarships. There were many difficult decisions to take, but we congratulate the successful scholars and encourage all applicants to support music at the University of Leicester”

Michaela Butter MBE, Director of Attenborough Arts Centre added: "Attenborough Arts Centre was built with music at the heart of its design through the active support of its original patron, Lord Richard Attenborough and ongoing patron, Dame Evelyn Glennie. Our music students are living proof of the power of music to enhance well-being, build confidence and promote transferable skills for life. Every year we are blown away by the energy and commitment of University students involved in music and their lively programmes of performance and community outreach. The centre champions the university’s broad range of opportunities available to our students that allows them to participate and express their skills and talents in a variety of ways!"

Respected jazz musician and BBC Radio 3 presenter Corey Mwamba, who is a Board member of AAC and participates in the audition process, said: "It was a fantastic day on Monday, with so many impressively skilled musicians, Auditions are never easy as they are so removed from real performance but all the students coped well and it was a joy to listen to them."