Eton Orwell Award

I am a Year 10 Student Planning to apply for the Orwell Award for Music. I've started drafting a personal statement (not very good) but I'll just show it so you know what my accolades for music are. Could anyone let me know my chances of getting the award and any tips for the actual process? - btw ignore the formal writing:

I am currently working towards my Piano Diploma Exam, having already mastered and performed multiple pieces at diploma level. I achieved a Distinction in my Grade 8 Piano and [keyboard exams - which have significantly broadened my technical and expressive capabilities.] Alongside this, I am preparing for Grade 8 Drums, having progressed rapidly since starting lessons and grades in Year 7, and earning Distinctions in all my previous drum grades. Additionally, I have completed grades in both acoustic and electric guitar, which has given me remarkable versatility between these two disciplines. I am now working towards Grade 8 Guitar, again having achieved Distinction in prior grades. In the last two years, I began learning Alto Saxophone and have progressed to a Grade 4-5 level. Beyond graded accomplishments, I play electric bass guitar and actively sing in my school’s Chapel Choir, gaining invaluable ensemble experience through performances at numerous events.

Though classical piano forms a cornerstone of my musicianship, jazz is where my strengths truly shine. My improvisational abilities and ear training allow me to interpret chord charts and improvise with fluency, which I have demonstrated extensively as a key member of my school’s Jazz Band and through leading personal trios and quartets. While I have been actively working to improve my piano sight-reading, my extensive jazz experience highlights my creativity and adaptability. Outside performance, I compose orchestral music and produce using digital audio workstations. Recently, I co-led my school’s House Music—a role rarely entrusted to a Year 10 student—providing me with the opportunity to inspire and collaborate across year groups.

Despite the significant dedication I invest in music, I have consistently maintained high academic performance, with the majority being 9s and very few below. This reflects my strong work ethic and ability to balance my diverse commitments. While music remains my primary passion, I also actively participate in sports at a high level, particularly in tennis and basketball, along with other athletic pursuits. These experiences have helped me develop teamwork, discipline, and resilience, qualities that I bring to every endeavor.

This is just a snippet that I plan to put in the personal statement, but pls ignore me glazing myself and yh lmk any advice and my chances of getting in. Cheers!

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

TSR Jessica

Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown:

Are you sure you've posted in the right place? :smile:

Here's a link to our subject forum which should help get you more responses if you post there. :redface:

Reply 2

gabbie_eden

Your personal statement seems to be fantastic, given that you attend a state school and you are very much involved in your school life, with good grades, it seems to me that you will have a chance at this award! 🙂

I don't personally attend Eton, I go to an independent school in Oxford, in the same year as you, but normally the scholarship process of most independent schools are to recognise your potential and how much you would contribute towards the school, academically and also in the co-curriculum, in your instance.

Good luck with your application and feel free to reach out if you want to know more in general about independent schools! 🙂

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