We’re delighted to provide an update on our Finchcocks Piano Scholarship Scheme. 2025 has hit the ground running with our five awarded scholars beginning tuition this January, and we’re thrilled to hear how excited they all are!

The scheme is in its first year and aims to provide piano enthusiasts aged 11-18, who might otherwise not be able to access tuition, with a year’s scholarship (up to 30 half hour lessons over the course of the year). Lessons are delivered by a visiting piano teacher at the child’s own secondary school, under the supervision of their music department.

Following our application appeal in the autumn, five young scholars were selected from across the UK, including St Leonards-on-Sea, Belfast, Cambridge, Exeter and Blyth, Northumberland. All participants demonstrated a great passion for music, motivation for independent learning and love of the piano. Some had already begun their journey but needed financial assistance to continue, others were at the very start of their new musical journey!

With permission, this is Rio Sofia from Blyth, and her teacher Jonathan Winter in their first lesson.

It really is lovely hearing feedback coming in from teachers and scholarship coordinators about the reception of scholars’ first lessons. What a priviledge it is to be help faciliate them!

Below, Silas from Northern Ireland with his teacher Lauren Ward, who is having lessons at the Music department of Queen’s University Belfast.

This scheme wouldn’t be possible without the funds raised at our annual Finchcocks Festival or the dedicated teachers and schools who took the time to apply for the scholarship on behalf of their students. We’ll keep you posted as the scheme progresses, but would like to finish this post with a heartfelt thanks to all involved. This is what music is for!