The St Cecilia Youth Music Scholarships, with generous support from local groups and sponsors, provide assistance to young musicians with their annual auditions and concert.
Structure of the Scholarship
The scholarship is open to young musicians from the Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Bega Valley, with sections based on age and experience. Sections include:
- Junior – 8-12 years
- Intermediate – 13-15 years
- Senior – 16-18 years
The scholarship process is held in two stages:
Auditions
Held in late October, the auditions are where all candidates first perform. These auditions determine the finalists of each section. Performances are adjudicated by a leading Australian musician and educator.
Finalists Concert
The concert takes place in November. It features performances by each of the finalists. The concert is a celebration of excellence and musical growth, with the scholarship awards presented at its conclusion.
Tertiary Scholarship
In 2018, Rotary Batemans Bay announced an annual grant to the St Cecilia Music Scholarships, of $1000 to a St Cecilia participant proceeding to tertiary music studies. The scholarship is known as the ‘David Harding Tertiary Music Award’, in honour of David’s many years of leadership as President of the St Cecilia Music Scholarships, and his work as a Rotarian in support of youth.
