London Symphony Orchestra Launches New Scholarship Scheme for Postgrads

The scholarships will provide students with £15,000 per year for three years, as well as a range of professional development opportunities

Following a sizeable donation from patrons Alex and Elena Gerko, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has announced it will offer a new scholarship scheme to support UK-based music students in their postgraduate study.

The LSO Conservatoire Scholarship will be offered to students for a three-year period, and carry a value of £15,000 per academic year.

Alongside the financial support, students will receive mentoring and support from members of the LSO, to aid them in the transition to professional life. This professional development will include one-on-one coaching sessions, as well as the opportunity to join the LSO for certain concerts.

There are ten new scholarships on offer each year. They prioritize students from low-income backgrounds, especially those whose combined household income is less than £45,000 per annum. Applicants can be of any nationality but must have carried out their undergraduate study in the UK. They must also be studying at one of 10 institutions.

Applications should be received by March 31, 2023. More information, including the list of eligible universities, can be found here.

"During the initial stages of the pandemic, [Alex and Elena Gerko] threw us a lifeline by being the first to make a substantial donation to our Always Playing Appeal and again last year to our Recovery Fund," said Kathryn McDowell, the Managing Director of the LSO.

"This latest gift demonstrates a commitment on behalf of Alex and Elena to maintaining the highest standards of musicianship in the next generation, providing opportunity and support, absolutely in keeping with the LSO’s core beliefs."

"This new scheme sits alongside LSO String Experience, Orchestral Artistry, and LSO Pathways and will be a terrific opportunity for ten talented musicians in the final period of their formal music education. We are hugely grateful to Alex and Elena Gerko for their generosity and helping us make this happen."