Barker Bursary: 3 Prizes of £3000, £1,250 & £750

The competition is aimed at talented young solo musicians who will be aged under 22 on 30th June 2025.

The competition comprises three categories:

• Senior – applicants post-Grade 8 (or equivalent);

• Intermediate - applicants Grade 7-8 (or equivalent)

• Junior – applicants Grade 5 – 6 (or equivalent).

• The competition is open to young musicians who live, or attend full-time education, in the following Post Code areas:

• AL4, AL6

• CB8, CB9, CB10, CB11, CB21, CB22, CB23, CB24

• CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21, CM22, CM23, CM24

• SG1, SG2, SG3, SG4, SG5, SG6, SG7, SG8, SG9, SG10, SG11, SG12, SG13, SG14

• The competition is restricted to acoustic/orchestral instruments that can be played in a broadly ‘classical’ context; see below for list.

The following instruments, and their derivatives, are eligible.

Woodwind

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Alto saxophone (classical)

Bassoon

Brass/horns/percussion

French horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba

Tuned percussion

Strings/piano

Violin
Viola
Cello
Double bass

Acoustic guitar (classical)

Harp
Piano

One bursary will be offered in each category, as follows:

• Senior – £3,000 and a performance opportunity

• Intermediate - £1,250

• Junior – £750

For the Senior prize winner the performance opportunity may take the form of the offer of a concerto performance with the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra, or a solo recital at the Linton Music Series.

Where appropriate, Intermediate and Junior winners may be offered the opportunity to join the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra, rehearse a concerto movement with the Orchestra, or perform a solo in a Saffron Walden Children’s Orchestra concert.

At the end of the year, winners are required to participate in publicity to outline what winning the bursary has meant to them.

Applicants must complete the application form below and submit it by 23.59 on 30th June 2026. Late or incomplete submissions cannot be considered, so you are advised to submit your application before the deadline. The application must include:

• evidence of instrumental standard (either scanned copy of grade certificate or endorsement from a teacher); and

• a video clip (1 minute maximum) of the applicant playing their instrument.

All complete and eligible applications will be considered by a panel of respected local musicians and a short-list produced.

• Shortlisted applicants will be notified of audition arrangements by 25th July 2025; if you have not heard from us by then, unfortunately you have not been selected on this occasion.

There is no set repertoire for the audition, and shortlisted applicants are free to select one or more pieces of their own choice, to showcase their skills. The music selected must fall within the following time limits:

• Senior – up to 10 minutes;

• Intermediate / Junior – 3-5 minutes.

A piano will be made available and applicants are responsible for providing their own accompanist, if required, at their own expense. There is no official accompanist. Applicants may use a pre-recorded accompaniment if they wish; in this eventuality, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide appropriate playback equipment and to ensure that it is operating correctly.

After performing their audition piece(s), the panel will conduct an informal interview to discuss the applicant’s musical motivation, experiences and aspirations.

All shortlisted candidates will be offered written feedback on their audition performance from the panel.

Prize winners will be notified as soon as possible after the auditions, when the competition administrator will contact winners to arrange for payment of the prizes and discuss publicity arrangements.

The competition has been made possible through the generosity of the Orchestra’s President, Jumbo Barker, for whom this is an opportunity to continue the work of his late father, George. In the early 1980s George Barker, founder of the Uttlesford Orchestra that became the SWSO, established a bursary scheme connected to the orchestra which ran successfully for several years, providing opportunities to many young people.

The principle behind George’s bursary was to help fund young musicians in developing their musical education, perhaps giving them the opportunity to pursue music as a career. The award covered music-education related costs such as tuition, instrument repair or purchase, travel and subsistence. It also provided a connection with a long established and respected symphony orchestra within Saffron Walden. The Barker Bursary has been designed to offer the same opportunities as the original scheme, and a continued connection with the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra.