Additional requirements
- Applicants must submit a portfolio of their music reports to CCGS as part of their online application.
- Applicants must download a music teacher reference form and send to their referee to complete. Referees are to submit forms directly to Enrolments Team at enrol@ccgs.nsw.edu.au by Thursday 6th February 2025.
Eligibility
Music scholarships are open to candidates with a high level of instrumental/vocal competency in the following areas:
- Keyboard: piano
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar and harp
- Woodwind: flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe
- Brass: cornet/trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba
- Percussion: drum kit, orchestral/tuned percussion
- Singing: all voices
Applicants may apply on their main instrument or two (only) instruments. A maximum of two performances will be required for the audition.
Selection criteria
- A high standard of performance demonstrated at the audition
- Strong aural, musicology and theory skills past and present musical experience, based on reports provided by the applicant and a reference provided by music teacher
- 51ɬɬÎÝapp in the Scholarship Examination
After the results of the Scholarship Examination are available, students who have been placed on the shortlist will be asked to attend an interview at the school. Scholarship interviews are conducted at the end of Term 1 2025. If students are not available during this time period to attend an interview, unfortunately they will not be considered for a scholarship as this may delay the selection and offer process. Applicants should ensure they have no conflicting commitments during this time period.
Commitment
Year 7 and Year 10 Scholarship candidates:
- Music scholars are required to study elective Music up to, and including, the 51ɬɬÎÝapp. Music scholars and parents are required to attend a meeting with the Head of Music in Term 2 of Year 9 to discuss Year 10 and 51ɬɬÎÝapp subject options available to them.
- Regularly and willingly participate in at least two of the school’s cocurricular music ensembles on the musical instrument / voice that they presented at the scholarship audition. One ensemble should be an open entry music ensemble in which the music scholar demonstrates and develops their musical leadership. The other ensemble should be an advanced ensemble, appropriate for the musical instrument / voice that they presented at the scholarship audition (subject to a successful audition for the advanced ensemble).
- Perform regularly in public, school and/or eisteddfod performances either as a soloist or ensemble performer.
- Continue professional private music tuition for the duration of the scholarship on the principal instrument / voice that they presented at the scholarship audition. Private music tuition may occur within CCGS’ instrumental tuition program or externally. In either case, private music tuition will be at the parents’ expense.
- Prioritise school rehearsal and performances in their working week
Requirements for audition
- Two contrasting pieces (in the case of students who play two instruments, one piece on each instrument only)
- Scales, to include both major and minor scales and their arpeggios
- Sight reading (on their choice of instrument)
- A short improvisation (on their choice of instrument) over a simple progression of primary chords, demonstrating the student’s creativity and musical responsiveness
Candidates are required to provide their own accompanist, as is appropriate for the pieces selected or may submit a backing track in MP3 format.
Value of scholarships
Scholarships cover remission of tuition fees only. Additional costs such as uniform items, computer notebook, textbooks, excursions and consolidated charges are not included. The value of each scholarship may vary depending on the calibre of the candidate and may cover 100% of tuition fees, 75%, 50% or 25%. The school reserves the right to withhold a scholarship (in any Year) if there are no candidates of sufficient merit. All scholarships are subject to annual review but are normally tenable for the length of the recipient’s education at the school, subject to continuing satisfactory progress, performance and attitude. Music Scholarship winners are required to be actively involved in the Music and broader life of the school.
Notification of Offer of Scholarship
A letter indicating whether the applicant has been successful or otherwise will be sent to the parents/guardian by the end of Term 1 2025. The school does not provide feedback to parents on any aspect of the scholarship process. This includes the applicant’s performance in the scholarship examination, music aptitude test, music audition or any interview. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the school and the school’s decision is final.
A $1,500 Scholarship Entrance Deposit will become payable by new families to the school on acceptance of an offer of a scholarship (means-tested scholarship recipients are exempt). This deposit is fully refundable without interest when your last child leaves the school. This is subject to parents having paid all monies due to the school and otherwise having complied with the Conditions of Enrolment. If the student’s enrolment is cancelled or if the student is withdrawn from the school prior to the end of Term 1 2026 this deposit will not be refunded.
Students are shortlisted after the interview process. This list is kept active for 12 months from the date of the Scholarship Examination.
