Applications Sought For 2017 Trench Award

Applications are now being sought from young singers and musicians from the Midlands who are pursuing a career in professional performance in the classical field for the 2017 Trench Award.

In its fourth year, The Trench Award aims to assist a young singer or musician develop their professional career through further study at home or abroad. The bursary will be awarded to a student attending, or having been offered a confirmed place at a University/Music College or another accredited specialist music establishment undertaking classical music studies, either instrumental or vocal, in pursuit of a career in professional performance.

In 2017, the Trench Award will form part of the inaugural Birr Festival of Music & Voice. Six finalists will be invited to perform a 15 minute programme at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly on Sunday, 28 May 2017 when the bursary will be awarded by a prestigious selection panel.

Applicants must be from the Midlands region and under the age of 27 on 1 January 2017.

Director of the Birr Festival of Music & Voice Maureen de Forge said: ”It is an exciting development to establish this classical music festival for Birr, which will include not only The Trench Award, but also a range of concerts given by international singers and musicians, previous bursary recipients, and see the first performance from The Birr Young Chorale Project. The generous support of The Trench Trust and other bodies make this possible”.

Application form and further information available from www.birrtheatre.com or by request from TheTrenchAward@gmail.com

Deadline for applications is Thursday 2 March, 2017.