Fine Music Radio (FMR) Bursary South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – FMR

Fine Music Radio 101.3 is a community radio station, located in Cape Town, focusing on classical and jazz music. The radio station is committed to delivering a quality listening experience from classical and jazz to outside broadcasts, compelling content and social initiatives.

The FMR Bursary Trust Awards was formed by the Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation, with the aim of providing funding (scholarships, bursaries and awards) to students studying towards performance and music qualifications.

ABOUT THE FMR BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

Fine Music Radio is inviting students to apply for the FMR Bursary Trust Awards, for the 2025 academic year.

The bursary will be awarded for studies towards a performance Diploma or Degree in Music.

The FMR Bursary Trust Awards will be based on the following categories:

• African Music (vocal/ instrument)
• Classical Vocal
• Classical Instrumental
• Jazz Vocal/ Instrumental

MORE ABOUT THE FMR BURSARY COMPETITION – RULES & REGULATIONS

The FMR Bursary Trust Awards will include the following rounds:
The first round (application) will be through a pre-recorded audition video, and thereafter a final round will be held in the Baxter Concert Hall in July 2024. The competition is made up of 4 categories: Classical Voice, Classical Instrumental, Jazz Vocal/ Instrumental and African Music.

The Preliminary round performance is made up of pre-recorded unlisted YouTube videos, which must be presented for adjudication. The link must be included in your application. Up to 3 applicants will be chosen from each category for the final round.

The final rounds will be held in the Baxter Concert Hall in July 2024 (23 July at 18:30 for Classical and 26 July at 18:30 for Jazz/ African). It will also be broadcast by Fine Music Radio and the competitors will each receive a copy of the broadcast for their own non-commercial use. Final round competitors must provide FMR with full details including names and instruments of ensemble/ accompanist by no later than 10 July 2024.
By applying for this bursary competition, applicants agree that the FMR Bursary Trust may record and use any of the performances in the competition at their discretion.

The Adjudication stage will include the adjudication panel making a decision on the selected candidates. Their decisions are final and no appeal will be considered. Feedback on the decisions will only be revealed after the final round of the competition. The preliminary and final rounds will be assessed individually, therefore the performance scoring is not combined.
Applicants will be adjudicated based on general presentation and balanced programme compilation. Applicants in the Jazz and African categories may also receive marks towards the instrumentation
and arrangement of the pieces, as well as leadership within the ensemble.

Repertoire: applicants must produce a programme of up to 15 minutes duration, which must include at least two pieces of contrasting style. The Classical Vocal category must contain at least one opera aria and one art-song. The African Music category must show skill on at least two instruments, one of which can be voice.
Competitors should repeat the works from the preliminary round in the final, but changes in
repertoire may be allowed if submitted before 10 July 2024. Backline ensemble should not exceed four persons.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FMR BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must reside in South Africa
• You must be studying towards a Diploma or Degree in Music
• You must be registered at a tertiary institution in South Africa

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FMR BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: FMR Bursary Application 2024

Applicants must read the FMR Bursary Rules (.pdf) before applying.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• Proof of registration at a tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• References from your current lecturer/ teacher (name, contact number and signature)
• Short biography (maximum 300 words)
• Motivational letter, including your career goals and how you plan to use the fund if you win the competition
• Full programme details, including composers, arranger, instrumentation and accompaniment
• Link to your UNLISTED YouTube video submission for the audition. Take note of the following:
  • the video must be high quality and up to 15 minutes in length
  • the video must be recorded in landscape orientation, at a resolution of 720p or higher, with clear audio and video
  • the video must begin with the competitor stating their name and full list of works performed, including title and composer/ arranger
  • the video must be uploaded to YouTube (unlisted) with the title “FMR Bursary Trust”– competitor’s name – and category
  • the video description must include the competitors names of the works and composers

CLOSING DATE FOR THE FMR BURSARY

14 June 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact Fine Music Radio directly:
Email: bursaryawards@fmr.co.za
Please do NOT contact Fine Music Radio if this scholarship has already closed.