Application Form for Awards

The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust is committed to:

  • increasing opportunities for musicians working to the highest standards and in innovative ways;
  • strengthening the traditional music culture of Scotland;
  • increasing opportunities for young people to participate in traditional music;
  • increasing audiences for traditional Scottish music.

Who can apply?
Applications under the following criteria can be made by any person, living or working in Scotland, who is finding that their financial circumstances are making it difficult to progress fully in their chosen field.

Our criteria for applications
Applications should meet one of the following criteria -

  • the advancement of education by encouraging participation in and the study of all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe;
    - This objective is specifically to support education for young people under the age of 30. The activity supported should have demonstrable educational value, such as attendance at a recognised course or school.
  • the advancement of the arts and culture of Scotland by promoting the performance, study and composition of all forms of traditional music (including voice) and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe;
    - This is a much more general objective relating to all forms of traditional music.
  • to encourage the attainment of high standards of performance and innovative composition in relation to all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe.
    - This objective is aimed at providing an annual Scholarship to benefit an individual player or composer who has either shown great potential or is of proven ability. The scholarship could support the provision of tuition, instruction and other assistance, including contributing towards the costs of travel, subsistence and accommodation of those being taught or receiving instruction.

Applying
Our application form asks for some basic information about you and your reasons for applying to the Trust. The application must be accompanied by a recording or example of your work. In order to be eligible you must also provide us with 2 referees who can testify to the quality of your work.
The principal reference must be from your primary instructor, tutor or teacher, and outline:

  1. the current level of skill you have in your instrument,
  2. how previous tuition has assisted your development as a musician,
  3. how the proposed award will benefit you as a musician.

Assessment
At that stage, depending on the music form in question, we may arrange either a professional assessment or an audition.

Follow up
Within six months of being awarded funding, successful applicants must provide the Trust with a report on how the funding awarded has helped them to develop as a musician. This follow up information will be made available on the Trust Website as evidence on how the Trust is meeting its objectives.

Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust – Application Form (Doc file)
Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust – Application Form (Pdf file)
Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust – Application Eigibility (PDF file)