Music Scholarships

Download the Application Form.

Value

The scholarships are worth between 10% and 70% of the academic school fees. Music scholarships also cover the cost of music tuition on up to two instruments.

Eligibility

Candidates wishing to enrol in Grade 8 in 2026 at Bishops and who have already achieved a high standard of performance of at least a Grade 4 level (ABRSM Trinity, UNISA) on any recognised musical instrument/voice (other than recorder and electronic keyboard) are eligible for the scholarship.

Expectations

The successful candidate(s) would be required to take an active part in the varied musical life at the school and would be expected to take music as a matriculation subject. While all Bishops boys are expected to take part in the full offering at Bishops (Academic, Sport and Cultural), boys on a Music Scholarship will be expected to significantly prioritise their musical involvement. They will be expected to achieve a high level on their instruments and be fully involved in the musical life of College through exams (internal and external), eisteddfods (internal and external) and taking an active role in the ensemble programme.

While successful candidates will benefit from the scholarship for the remainder of their schooling at Bishops up to Matriculation level, the awards are reviewed annually and the school has the right to withdraw scholarship privileges if it is felt that their musical or academic performance or contribution at Bishops is below that which is required.

Recipients of Bishops Music Scholarships are required to have their instrumental lessons with Bishops music staff.

Audition Process

PART 1 will take place at Bishops - date to be confirmed.
All candidates will be required to play a quick study on their first instrument. A brief introductory session will explain the requirements of this, after which candidates will have 45 minutes to prepare the quick study, without any external help. The quick study will then be performed to the scholarship panel. Thereafter they will write a theory assessment test. Times for Part 1 will be confirmed in due course, but this usually begins around lunch time.

PART 2 will take place in front of a selection panel at Bishops - date to be confirmed. Times for each candidate will be confirmed in the week prior to the auditions.

Candidates will be required to:

  • Perform three pieces, in contrasting styles, which reveal their musicianship and technical ability. Candidates who play a second instrument (or take voice as their second instrument) should be prepared to perform their third piece on that instrument. If a candidate plays three instruments, two pieces still need to be played on the first instrument and the candidate should play one piece on each of the remaining two instruments, i.e. they need to play four pieces.
  • Play a piece of sight-reading on their first instrument, at the level of the pieces being presented.
  • Play a scales test on their first instrument. A complete scales list from a recognised examination board (Royal Schools, Trinity, UNISA) must be offered at a minimum of Grade 4 level, and these must be played from memory.
  • Play a scales test on their first instrument. A complete scales list from a recognised examination board (ABRSM, Trinity, UNISA) must be offered at a minimum of a Grade 4 level. These must be played from memory.
  • Undertake a short aural test.
  • Answer questions of a general musical nature.

    • An important criterion in the selection of scholars will be whether they have shown broad involvement and commitment to the music at their previous school, and whether they are likely to continue to contribute to the musical life of Bishops on a permanent basis during their years at the school.

    • Hard copies of ALL music to be performed at the Scholarship audition should be submitted with your application. In addition, a copy of the scales syllabus (ABRSM, Trinity, UNISA) must also be submitted with your application. No application will be accepted without these items attached.
    • Candidates are expected to provide their own accompanists, where necessary.

Enquiries and Application Forms

Application forms will be available online due course.
Contact the Director of Music, Jaco Goosen, to answer any other questions regarding the scholarships.

Application deadline for 2026 Music Scholarships will be confirmed.

Director of Music
Jaco Goosen
Bishops (Diocesan College)
Camp Ground Road
Rondebosch
7700

jgoosen@bishops.org.za
Phone: 021 659-1036


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