Cambridge Instrumental Awards

Please forgive me if a thread already exists for this topic, I did several searches and found nothing.

I'm holding a conditional offer to study at Fitzwilliam College starting in October and I sent off my form for the Instrumental Award a few months ago. I created this thread for two reasons:

1. To gain insight into the commitments involved and advice from current/past Award holders.

2. To suss out the competition. :tongue:

What instruments do you all play?

Reply 1

kpatb

Original post by JamesMcAulay

What instruments do you all play?

I was thinking about applying, I'm a pianist but I only had Merit at Grade 8 (though I'm doing my Diploma at the moment).
Also the piece for piano is tough!

I would be quite interested to know what the commitment's like...
How tough are the auditions?

Reply 2

JamesMcAulay

I'm sure you'll still be able to get involved with the music scene. The official amount is 6 hours of chamber rehearsals per week, but that's on top of orchestral rehearsals and instrumental lessons, I'm guessing it could take up a large portion of your timetable...

The first audition is in a solo format, and the second round is in the format of an assessed chamber rehearsal where your ensemble skills are tested and judged. I went through an identical process when I auditioned for Music School six years ago and it was pretty enjoyable actually, just need to make sure I get the set piece up to a respectable standard.

Reply 3

kieuk

This is something of a Dead Thread but never mind. does anyone know if you get more than one award-holder per instrument? i'm applying on clarinet. yay times :biggrin:

Reply 4

kpatb

I think the number of award holders depends on how good they think the cohort is...
Apparently, sometimes they take no people on certain instruements, some years they take lots of kids on certain instruments - it really depends on how good the individual is.

Which is scary.

Also I hate the beethoven for Piano.. it's killing my hands.
I want to come away from the piano crying after a long practice.

Reply 5

elin89

also, the competition is ridiculously fierce - there are so many very very good people. I had got a good mark in the DipABRSM and was quite good (but not genius) at the set piece and didn't get it.

So have a go and maybe you'll get it, but even if you don't there are so many possibilities for music at Cambridge. And you get to go up to Cam early, which gives you an extra couple of days to settle in!

Good luck :smile:

Reply 6

JamesMcAulay

This thread is dead, but just thought I'd post to say that I've held an Instrumental Award since arriving at Cambridge in September 2011, and am happy to answer any questions applicants might have nearer the time!

Reply 7

fabulanoctis

Hey there! What instrument do you hold the award for? Would you happen to be able to relate the 'typical' week in the life of an instrumental awardist? Just need to get an idea of how time consuming it is, and how much pressure Cambridge put on you if you do receive the award. Thanks!

Reply 8

lamp-y

Original post by JamesMcAulay

This is a year and a half later! I'm about to start as a Cambridge fresher in a month's time and I'm sure I'm too late for the audition, but my mother and I would be very interested to know how much time it takes up a week and how good you have to be. Thanks

Reply 9

username1555259

Hi JamesMcAulay, I was wondering how much time commitment being an award holder takes up? I'm intending to apply for a choral award as well - I know that it will be a large commitment should I somehow manage to obtain both but i was wondering in particular about the instrumental awards.

Reply 10

telcarin

how much money does the instrumental award give?

Reply 11

Colmans

Original post by telcarin

how much money does the instrumental award give?

Types instrumental awards Cambridge into google.
Taps on first link
Reads "The Scheme not only provides Award holders with financial assistance of up to £200 towards individual instrumental lessons, but also regular coaching as a group from leading specialist chamber musicians "