Michael Beech – 2023 Young Player Scholarship Recipient
My earliest memories of being surrounded by music come from my grandma teaching piano and hearing her students playing in lessons. I began playing piano at an early age, and started playing oboe in 2015, which sparked my fascination with woodwind instruments. After completing my AMEB grade 8 piano exam, I completely shifted my musical focus to woodwinds. My secondary education at Blackburn High School ignited my love for wind band and orchestral repertoire which grew stronger with every rehearsal I attended. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to play almost every member of the woodwind family including flute, saxophone, bassoon, clarinet and all of their auxiliaries. After graduating year 12 in 2022, I’ve become more immersed within multiple music ensembles and programs available to me, such as being appointed principal oboe in the Melbourne Youth Orchestra (MYO) for 2023, earning a place in the Top Class Performance for outstanding VCE music results, being a nominee and runner up for the Margaret Schofield Scholarship, earning an entrance scholarship for the Bachelor of Music at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne, and of course this amazing scholarship provided by the Percy Grainger Wind Symphony. I’m eager to see what awaits my musical future and seek to meet more talented and like-minded people and strengthen friendships I have with those who appreciate music as much as I do.
About the Scholarship
The Grainger Wind Symphony Young Players Scholarship is an annual scholarship open to young woodwind, brass, percussion and string bass players since 2011. The scholarship seeks to encourage talented young musicians to pursue their interest in wind music beyond secondary school. The scholarship is for students doing their final year of secondary school. By raising awareness of the strong community music scene in Melbourne, the Grainger Wind Symphony hopes to engage a whole new generation of musicians in this proud tradition.
Every music teacher hopes to instil in their students a love of music that is carried beyond the boundaries of school life. Why not give your students the very best of opportunities and help them carry their passion forward to post-‐secondary school life? The Grainger Wind Symphony Young Players Scholarship is the ideal platform for your high-‐achieving students to practice performing before a panel, become accustomed to the audition process and receive feedback on the their performance, whilst encouraging them to continue pursuing music beyond secondary school.
Applications in 2023 for 2024 will remain open until 30th November 2023. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview. An audition is waived this year because of the COVID restrictions. If the wind symphony is rehearsing on the 8th December, the short listed applicants will be invited to play with the group. Unsuccessful applicants for the scholarship may be invited to be a normal member.
Click here for the Application Form
Click here for a generic letter to Heads of Music in schools.
Past GWS Young Player Scholarship winners
2020-21 Jamie Papps
2019 no award
2018 Emma Squires
2017 Chelsea Tubby
2016 Sarah Phang
2015 Harry Potocnik
2014 Suzanne Yong
2013 Penelope Latham
2012 Sophie Caldwell
2011 Shirin Chalik inaugural recipient