The RAB Trust offers a number of awards each year to students of bowed stringed instrument making at UK colleges.
We support students with motivation and ability. Successful applicants will be expected to submit information for the RAB Trust website.
Awards include:
- Financial grants. These could help to fund the purchase of wood or tools or the cost of a specific project. The Trust does not cover tuition fees or living expenses.
- Work experience placements. The Trust seeks to find placements which match the interests and skill level of the students who request them. A contribution to travel and living expenses may be made.
- Outstanding students may be awarded funding to attend courses such as the VSA Oberlin workshop or BVMA Courses
NEW Set-up course with Andrew Fairfax and Kathrin Hügel:
DETAILS FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR THIS SPECIAL AWARD
When: Sunday, June 16, 2024, 5:00 PM – Friday, June 21, 2024, 3:30 PM
Where: Halsway Manor, Somerset, England
The third edition of the BVMA set-up course at Halsway Manor in Somerset, for violin makers at the beginning of their careers.
During the week at Halsway the course will concentrate on the set-up of a violin, particularly the sound post and bridge. Andrew Fairfax and Kathrin Hügel will talk you through every step before applying the theory in practice. At the end of the week, participants will leave with a step-by-step plan on how to do a bridge and sound post.
The aim is to give an overview of all the important aspects of a professional set-up. This will contribute to make the instrument sound as good as it can without a compromise in comfort for the player.
The RAB Trust is sponsoring two places for students, based on merit. Please submit your application by clicking on the link below this paragraph under ‘How to Apply’.
Please explain why you would like to do the course and why you think the RAB Trust should sponsor you. Please supply relevant photos of recent work to support your application. Before applying please make sure you can attend the whole course, as this is a requirement of the RAB Trust. You will also be required to submit a written report to the RAB Trust following the course.
This is a special award so you can submit a separate application specifically for the course, in addition to your main application.
Those applying should have finished at least their second year at a violin making college (at the time of the course) or have a similar level of experience. They must bring their own violin to work on alongside their tools.
Some bridges, sound posts and other accessories will be sponsored.
How to apply for financial support
Applications are considered annually. The closing date is 28 February. Applications received after this date will not be considered.You can apply online by clicking the link below. Successful candidates who apply for a further grant must send written and photographic information about the work undertaken using the initial grant.
When you send us your application, you are providing personal data. We use this only for selecting award winners. It is not shared with anyone other than the Trustees. We will keep it until you leave college to help us assess any further application you make. Thereafter it will be destroyed. Our website contains a list of past and present award winners and the name of their college (sometimes with a photo of current award winners) with a link to their personal website if they have one. If you do NOT wish to appear on this list, please let us know. At any time you may ask us to amend or remove your data by contacting the secretary.
If you are awarded a work experience placement, read the information on this link:
When you have completed your placement, download and complete this form:
If you have questions or would like more information, contact the RAB Trust administrator: info@rabtrust.org