Studying at a prestigious university offers countless opportunities for young
musicians beginning their careers. However, many students face significant financial
challenges, which can become a major obstacle—especially at the start of their
studies.
This was the case for me when I was accepted as a Master of Performance student
at the Royal College of Music in London, with a partial scholarship covering a portion
of my tuition fees. I was over the moon when I received the email with the good
news; I thought to myself: “Now I can focus more on my studies and work less
outside of college.” However, as a postgraduate student, tuition fees continued to
rise, and what I initially thought would alleviate my financial concerns didn’t turn out
as expected. I still needed to work part-time—over 25 hours a week—to support
myself.
That changed when I discovered the London Symphony Orchestra Conservatoire
Scholarship. This scholarship, aimed at supporting talented postgraduate musicians
from low-income families, offers up to £15,000 as well as performance and
mentoring opportunities with renowned LSO musicians. The scholarship is awarded
to 10 instrumentalists each year from the world’s top 10 conservatoires.
For an international student like me, £15,000 can make all the difference.
After a straightforward application process, with the team providing helpful support for any
questions I had, I was over the moon to learn that my audition had been successful!
The LSO Conservatoire Scholarship allowed me to focus primarily on my studies,
giving me the freedom to explore developmental opportunities while drastically
reducing the stress of covering living expenses. The financial support substantially
reduced my teaching hours, and after four years of balancing a demanding Bachelor
of Music with teaching, I was finally able to prioritise my growth as a performer.
As an LSO scholar, I was fortunate to perform Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 with the
LSO at LSO St Luke’s under Gianandrea Noseda’s direction. For a pianist, it was an
extraordinary opportunity to be part of an orchestral performance and collaborate
with top-tier musicians. I was offered the rare learning experience of how to
contribute to an orchestral work as a pianist—sometimes as a collaborator,
sometimes as a soloist.
Classical music is a boundless resource for both artistic and personal growth. Used
to performing as a soloist, I had to learn to listen closely to my fellow musicians and
engage in the shared creative process. It was an eye-opening experience that I
would love to repeat. Throughout the rehearsal process, my mentor, LSO pianist Liz
Burley, guided me, helping me respond to the conductor’s directions as we
performed the Symphony.
I also had the privilege of performing in the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship
Showcase—a special event that brought together current and past scholars, LSO
mentors, and donors who support the program. I thoroughly enjoyed performing
chamber music, including Poulenc’s 4 Hands Piano Sonata and Furtok’s Double
Bass and Piano Fantasy, culminating in a performance involving all
the scholars, which created an unforgettable atmosphere.
What stood out most to me was that, even after graduating, I was offered the chance
to perform at this event. It was incredibly rewarding to remain connected to the
people who supported and believed in me throughout my studies—those who
continue to shape my career through performance opportunities like this one.
I truly appreciate the careful work that the entire team puts into creating flawless
events—from the smooth scheduling to the attention given to both the performers
and the audience. Their prompt responses to questions and commitment to coaching
us ensured that we could deliver the best performance possible.
I’m deeply grateful to the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship for empowering me
throughout my studies and helping me grow into the musician I am today. The
scholarship allowed me the time and resources to create my own
opportunities—networking, collaborating, learning, and performing. This, in turn, led
to even more chances to develop my career after graduation.
I highly recommend to any postgraduates (or soon to be) students to apply for this once-in- a- lifetime opportunity. Remember: you have everything to gain and nothing to lose!
Application deadline for 2025/26 academic year: Monday 10 March 2025
– Find out more at lso.co.uk/scholarships
– See the application form here
– Join the mailing list for future years
Written by Cristiana Achim, Founder of Piano-Travel
Credit Photo: Kevin Leighton
