Newington College

Music Scholarships

Newington College offers general and specific Music scholarships.

Our Music program

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.  

General Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are available to students 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 

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

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

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
  • Year 9 and 11 -  AMEB Grade 6 (Year 9 Entry) AMEB Grade 7 (Year 11 Entry) 

Note: AMEB is only used as a guide

These guidelines apply to all short-listed general music scholarship applicants.

  • At auditions students undertake individual aural tests.
  • Students 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.

Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship

The Joan Meats Pipe Organ Scholarship is open to students entering Years 7, 9 and 11 and is awarded every third year.

Applicants must perform well in the scholarship selection examination and 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.

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

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
  • Year 9 and 11 -  AMEB Grade 6 (Year 9 Entry) AMEB Grade 7 (Year 11 Entry) 

Note: AMEB is only used as a guide

These guidelines apply to all short-listed Joan Meats Pipe Organ scholarship applicants.

  • At auditions students undertake individual aural tests.
  • Students 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.

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).

The Robert Walter Storr (ON 1938) Music Scholarship is available to students entering Years 9, 10 or 11 who are indigenous residents of Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore. It is awarded every three years and will be next awarded in 2026.

The scholarship is awarded to a student of exceptional musical ability, with a reasonable fluency in English and 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.

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 costs
  • overseas student health cover
  • one economy return airfare from and to the student’s home country each year.

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.

How to apply

All students applying for a Newington College Scholarship must sit the scholarship test. The test is administered by Academic Assessment Services.

Applications for 2025 scholarships are now closed.

Applications for 2026 scholarships will open in late 2024.