Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Awards
Phase 2: 2010 to 2015
Awards to blind or partially sighted musicians, for musical study, projects and events for the benefit of local, national and international communities.
Who can apply
The Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Fund grants funds of up to £10,000 per bid to:
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blind or partially sighted people to support their music making, and
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to third parties supporting blind or partially sighted musicians in their music making.
To qualify, applicants, or people supported by applicants, must be both:
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registrable as sight impaired or seriously sight impaired (partially sighted or blind), and
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a UK citizen.
Priority is given to classical musicians, especially organists.
Each applicant may receive up to and including three successful bids (each in a different year).
The offer of an award for each year takes effect from June. The funding is valid for 24 months. The award may be used within or outside the UK.
Applicants are encouraged to submit enterprising bids suited to their musical aptitude and interests.
Examples of support include:
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payment for instrumental or vocal tuition
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tuition for the fees for a music course
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transcriber and reader costs
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the purchase of music technology
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the costs of putting on a concert
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developing accessible and assistive music technology
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payment for specialist tutoring and tuition (for example, on accessible technology for music, in relation to stagecraft, and so on)
The Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Fund is administered by RNIB through a panel of experts in the music profession sitting in May each year. The awarding body may meet more than once a year to consider exceptional applications. The decision of the panel is final.
Making an application
Applications are to be submitted to RNIB by email to mas@rnib.org.uk by 31 March each year. There is no application fee, and interview and audition expenses will be met by the fund.
Background
Miss Elizabeth Eagle-Bott's great interest was music. She learnt to play the organ in her sixties. She then played for her parish church for twenty years.
Her particular interest in assisting young musicians who are visually impaired arose from attending an organ recital given by a student at the Royal College of Music, who himself was blind. She came to appreciate that there are additional costs to be met in preparing for a career in music for students with little or no vision. Through her generous bequest, blind and partially sighted people who are musicians, or who aspire to be musicians, working in classical music can receive substantial financial support.
The first phase of this award, 2000 to 2009, allocated almost £100,000 to individuals with a particular focus on preparing them for paid employment in the music business.
Example awards
M received support for staging a concert in a leading London venue, making a recording, preparing promotional materials and for the construction of a bespoke instrument. Today, M has an international career as a soloist, and chamber music and orchestral player. His recordings are frequently broadcast on national radio.
J was a professional violinist, playing and teaching, but at the onset of her sight loss realised that she needed to change musical direction. The fund supported her in singing studies at a conservatoire, with travel costs and with a rehearsal piano. She is currently singing principal roles in opera throughout the UK.
D has just completed his PhD in electroacoustics. The fund paid his fees and costs of specialist equipment for his studies. He is currently winning international composition competitions and lecturing at various universities and conferences.
V completed her postgraduate studies in singing with support from the fund. She is currently combining recital work and singing for formal functions with running workshops and teaching music.
A was funded for a copy of accessible music notation software to support his studies in composition prior to his undergraduate course.
Further information
For an application form or further information, please email mas@rnib.org.uk or ring the RNIB's Music Advisory Service on 020 7391 2273. For advice on your application, please contact the Chair of the EEB Panel, via the RNIB's Music Advisory Service.
The AMBER Trust
The AMBER Trust was set up especially to help blind or partially sighted children - including those with additional disabilities - to access and enjoy music. The AMBER Trust's vision is to transform the life of any blind or partially sighted child living in the UK who finds music especially important.
Each year, AMBER aims to raise in excess of £100,000 to help as many children as possible reach their full potential. To enable blind or partially sighted children - from toddlers to teenagers - to access the music they enjoy and from which they can benefit so much, AMBER provides funding for music lessons, music therapy sessions, the purchase of musical instruments, software or other equipment, concert tickets and travel related to musical activities.
For more information and an application form, email info@ambertrust.org or visit www.ambertrust.org.
Phoenix Grants For Musicians With Disabilities
Phoenix Grants provide financial assistance to music students or professional musicians with a physical or sensory disability which affects their ability to participate in their musical activity. The guidelines for eligibility and application form are available via the Musicians' Benevolent Fund website and available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information about Phoenix Grants and how to apply, call the Musicians' Benevolent Fund on 020 7239 9100 or email phoenixgroup@mbf.org.uk
Gardner's Trust Braille Music Literacy Award
The Gardner's Trust Braille Music Literacy Award is an annual competition designed to encourage young students' use of braille music.
RNIB administers tests of reading, understanding and performing braille music in five levels, plus a Senior Award. For further information please contact the Music Advisory Service.
Download the 2009 regulations and specimen tests in braille or print
Contact us
For further information about awards, please contact mas@rnib.org.uk or telephone the Music Advisory Service on 020 7388 1266.