Release the Music Charitable Trust is a charity independent of Mrs A’s Music School. Three trustees manage the applications and fundraising.
A musical education often involves learning more than one instrument, purchasing music and instruments, preparing for concerts and passing exams. Scholarships help students already contributing significant time and money.
Our Purpose:
To encourage participation, training opportunities and excellence in music.
To prioritise music lessons for people facing hardship, specific learning, mental health challenges or other disabilities.
To award scholarships to individuals or groups to assist with music tuition, examinations, competitions, access musical instruments or other materials required to achieve their musical goals.
To support and upskill music teachers in technology or music therapy for the benefit of others within the community.
To assist people living in isolated areas who may not have access to music tuition or performance opportunities.
To inspire and help people reach their full potential as musicians.
Two students who have been assisted by the scholarship trust in the past are Sophie Bennet and Jacob Cox. Here are their stories of how the scholarship trust supported and encouraged them to pursue and further their musical careers.
“I remember one of my first experiences with music were trying to get an audible sound out of my uncle's old cornet at three years old. Since then, I've become the youngest member of the Timaru Brass Band and am very soon going to Wellington to compete in the National Brass Band Competition.”“Through the scholarship trust, Iwas given a term of cornet lessons. Those lessons helped me further improve my knowledge of the instrument, but what truly inspired me to keep practicing was the fact that someone else saw the passion I had and felt the need to bolster that. This act of generositymade me realise that music is special, and something that I'd love to keep pursuing in the future. The lessons worked up to an end of term concert where I could meet more people with similar interests. This boosted my confidence by playing to an audience. Concerts like these are what have helped me overcome that subtle stage fright and even front my own band, Third Junction, in which I play guitar, piano and sing.”“I started teaching guitar and piano at Mrs A's Music School in 2021, and have also started to teach drums in 2022.I'm currently in my second year of teaching at the Timaru School, and plan on teaching next year up north at the Christchurch School.”
Jacob
“My journey with music began when I started learning the violin at five. A few years later I took up cello and started studying music theory. I went on to complete Grade 8 in both instruments. I am currently studying towards a performance diploma in cello.
The scholarship trust assisted me in getting lessons in music theory, which enabled me to build a good foundation of musical knowledge and has helped greatly with my further studies. I've played as part of the local youth orchestra and competed successfully in numerous local competitions, such as the NZ Chamber Music Competition and NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing at local events and venues.
I was first given the opportunity to teach music at Mrs A’s Music School in 2018, and taught in Timaru for three years. Since moving to Christchurch I have also started teaching cello, violin and piano at Mrs A’s Christchurch Studios. Moving forward, I plan to finish my diploma and continue to improve my teaching ability.”
Sophie
If you would like to support this charity or apply for a scholarship please email the trustees c/o