Music Scholarships

With orchestras, ensembles, bands and vocal programs across classical, jazz and contemporary genres, music students at Newington College enjoy a program that develops both individual and group talents.  

More about the Newington College music program. 

Music scholarships are available to boys who, in addition to performing well in the scholarship selection examination, show evidence of outstanding musical achievement or show potential in one of six areas: 

• Strings
• Choral
• Brass/Woodwind
• Percussion
• Organ 
• Contemporary Music 

Who is eligible for a general music scholarship? 

General music scholarships are available to boys entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 11. 

Due to strong demand for these music scholarships, there is usually a minimum standard required. This may change according to the instrument. The current broad recommendations for a minimum standard are: 

• Year 7 – Minimum AMEB Grade 4 Note: AMEB is only used as a guide
• Year 9 and 11 -  AMEB Grade 6 (Year 9 Entry) AMEB Grade 7 (Year 11 Entry) Note: AMEB is only used as a guide

What do general music scholarships cover?

In addition to the full or part-remission of academic tuition fees, music scholarships may include music tuition subsidies for an individual instrument. 

How are the recipients of general music scholarships decided?

Applicants must perform well in the scholarship selection test, and will then be assessed through the following: 

• Boys will undertake individual aural tests.
• Boys auditioning for choral scholarships will be asked to perform two contrasting songs.
• Those auditioning for instrumental scholarships must perform two contrasting works on their chosen instrument and sing a song of their choice.

Applicants must fulfil the practical elements listed below.

Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship

Who is eligible? 

The Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship is open to boys entering Years 7, 9 and 11 and is awarded every third year.  Applicants must show evidence of outstanding musical achievement or potential on the pipe organ. Consideration may be given to those who show exceptional ability on the piano and wish to move into playing the pipe organ. 

When to apply

The Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship is awarded every three years. Applications for the next Joan Meats Scholarship will open in 2023.

What does the Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship cover? 

In addition to the full or part-remission of academic tuition fees, the Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship may include music tuition subsidies for organ studies. 

How is the Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship decided? 

First consideration will be given to boys who, in addition to performing well in the scholarship selection examination, show evidence of outstanding musical achievement or potential on the pipe organ. Consideration may also be given from time to time to those who show exceptional ability on the piano and wish to move into playing a pipe organ. Boys must audition for this scholarship and should perform at least two contrasting works.

Applicants must fulfil the practical elements listed below.

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Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship

The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship was first granted in 1994 following a bequest received from the estate of the late Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938). It will be next awarded in 2026.

Who is eligible? 

The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship is available to boys entering Years 9, 10 or 11 who are Indigenous residents of Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore. The scholarship is awarded to a boy of exceptional musical ability.  

Scholarship applicants should possess a reasonable fluency in English and be of sound academic ability. The successful applicant will have above-average musical ability in either choral or instrumental disciplines and will be strongly motivated to extend those skills by participating in Newington’s music program.  

Priority will be given to the families of applicants whose financial means would not otherwise enable them to attend Newington College.  

What does the Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship cover? 

The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship covers: 

• all normal tuition and boarding fees at Newington College, musicianship lessons for one instrument and instrumental tuition fees for one instrument
• expenses associated with compulsory school excursions
• Higher School Certificate or International Baccalaureate Diploma charges
• overseas student health cover
• one economy return airfare from and to the boy’s home country each year.

Continuation of the scholarship is conditional upon the applicant achieving satisfactory standards and acceptable outcomes during the duration of the scholarship.

The scholarship is means tested. Short-listed applicants will be required to complete a financial questionnaire.

How to apply for the Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship

The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship is awarded every three years. 

Applications for the Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship cannot be made using the standard scholarship application form. The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship application form should be requested from the Admissions Department, or downloaded here.

These guidelines apply to all short-listed general music and Joan Meats Pipe Organ scholarships applicants.

• At auditions boys undertake individual aural tests.
• Boys auditioning for choral scholarships are asked to perform two contrasting songs.
• Those auditioning for instrumental scholarships perform two contrasting works on their chosen instrument and sing a song of their choice.