Financial Support and Professional Mentoring for Emerging Musicians
The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) Conservatoire Scholarships programme is a major new initiative designed to support exceptional postgraduate musicians who face financial barriers at a critical stage of their professional development. Offering scholarships of up to £16,000 per academic year, the programme aims to widen access to elite conservatoire training while providing direct artistic and career support from members of one of the world’s leading orchestras.
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.
A Programme with a Clear Mission
The LSO Conservatoire Scholarships were created to address a growing challenge in professional music training: the rising cost of postgraduate conservatoire education. High tuition fees and living expenses increasingly prevent talented musicians from continuing their studies at the highest level.
This programme seeks to reduce those barriers by allowing selected musicians to focus fully on their artistic development during their postgraduate studies, while also benefiting from mentoring, coaching, and professional insight from LSO musicians.
The scheme was established in partnership with philanthropists Alex and Elena Gerko, longtime supporters of the London Symphony Orchestra. The initiative was inspired by outstanding participants in the LSO Discovery programme whose progress was threatened by financial constraints.
As Alex and Elena Gerko explain:
“We were struck by the challenges facing those taking the final steps in their study to become professional musicians. We were keen to ensure that the very best emerging instrumentalists are able to fully commit to their studies, while benefiting from the support and coaching of LSO members.”
How the Scholarships Work
Each year, the LSO awards ten new scholarships to postgraduate instrumentalists.
Scholarship Value
- Up to £16,000 per academic year
- Support may continue for the full duration of the postgraduate course
- Funds contribute to living and maintenance costs, not tuition fees
Additional Professional Support
Beyond financial assistance, scholarship recipients gain access to a range of professional development opportunities, which may include:
- Individual mentoring and coaching from LSO musicians
- Side-by-side rehearsal and performance experiences with the Orchestra
- Ongoing career guidance and professional insight
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is open to postgraduate instrumentalists of any age or nationality who meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrated financial need, with total family income below £58,500 per year
- An offer of a postgraduate place at one of the top 10 conservatoires worldwide (as ranked by QS World University Rankings 2025)
- Postgraduate study focused on classical training for an orchestral instrument
- Prior undergraduate study at a UK conservatoire or university
Eligible Conservatoires (QS Rankings 2025)
For the purposes of this programme, eligible institutions include:
- Royal College of Music (London)
- Royal Academy of Music (London)
- Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- New York University
- Juilliard School
- Royal Danish Academy of Music
- Royal Northern College of Music
Financial Assessment
The level of financial support awarded is determined by parental income, using a graded scale:
- Income up to £48,500 – 100% of scholarship level
- Income up to £53,500 – 75%
- Income up to £58,500 – 50%
(Full grading details are available in the official programme documentation.)
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.
- Application deadline: 12:00 pm (UK time), 10 March 2026
- Applications must be submitted via the official LSO application form
All applicants will be notified of the outcome in writing. Please allow up to two months for applications to be processed.
Application Support & Contact
Applicants who wish to discuss eligibility or receive guidance are encouraged to contact:
Paul Massey
Programme Manager, LSO Conservatoire Scholarships
📧 paul.massey@lso.co.uk
A Long-Term Investment in Musical Excellence
The LSO Conservatoire Scholarships represent a significant investment not only in individual musicians, but in the future of the classical music profession. By combining financial support with mentorship from leading orchestral musicians, the programme offers a rare opportunity for emerging artists to continue their studies at the highest level—regardless of background.
For postgraduate instrumentalists facing financial barriers, this initiative may prove transformational.
