Seven young musicians receive Joan Trimble Bursary Awards

Grants have been awarded to seven local young people by the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards, supporting the students to cover tuition, travel and accommodation costs as they progress in their musical development.

 

Established by her family and administered by the Fermanagh Trust, the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards were set up in memory of the Enniskillen born musician and composer. The Awards recognise Joan’s lifelong commitment to County Fermanagh and their purpose is to encourage the involvement of young people in creativity, the performing arts and Irish culture.

Tenor Andrew Irwin received a grant award to attend the Charles Wood Summer School, taking lessons with expert vocal coaches. This is ahead of performing with an opera in Germany later in the year.

 

 
Joanna McVey presenting Joan Trimble Bursary Awards to (left) Andrew Irwin and Lauren Coulter and (right) Usna MacErlane

 

Patrick McCrystal will use his bursary to attend the Ulster Youth Orchestra’s residential course and tour. This will consist of intensive teaching and rehearsals led by professional musicians. Following this the orchestra will then travel to Europe to perform in Vienna and Bratislava before returning to perform in the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

Lauren Coulter who is currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music will use her bursary to take part in a summer school on the island of Arran in Scotland which will include individual coaching lessons and concert performances. Music student Usna MacErlane who is specialising in classical music performance at Leeds received a bursary towards costs of obtaining their piano diploma.

Finally Rory Gill, Timothy Boomer and Luke Beirne were awarded bursaries to attend the Sligo Jazz Project Summer School in July. The school involves specialist workshops and master classes with professional tutors from Ireland and beyond.

 

Joanna McVey, daughter of the late Joan Trimble, commented while presenting the awards “We are delighted to award bursaries to these seven gifted musicians. Our hope has always been to encourage wider opportunity and access to the arts. The range of activities supported including a number of courses and summer schools shows the talent, passion and commitment that that these young people have. No doubt they will gain inspiration and valuable experience as they progress with their studies and we wish them every success for the future.

For more information on the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards or to download an application form CLICK HERE. Applications are considered three times per year, with the following deadlines: 1st November,1st March and 1st May. Areas of support for individuals up to and including 25 years of age include: specialist education training sessions and courses; international cultural programmes; participation in master classes and summer schools.