The Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship

About the Scholarship

About Margaret Schofield
2008 Scholarship winners
Applications

Applications for this annual scholarship are invited from government school students of VCE Music: Solo Performance.

The selection panel will consider applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to music in recent years and to a future career in music performance. The students’ study score for VCE Music: Solo Performance will be taken into consideration.

The annual scholarship of $4,000 will contribute towards the cost of tertiary education in music performance.

About Margaret Schofield

This scholarship was established by the family of the late Margaret Schofield (at right) in recognition of her achievements as a musician and her commitment to music education and is coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).

Margaret Schofield's life and career are recognised through this scholarship which has been established by her family in recognition of her achievements and commitment to the provision of educational opportunities for all.

The scholarship is open to students who have completed their VCE at a government secondary school and provides assistance in funding ongoing music study at a tertiary institution.

Margaret Schofi eld was one of Australia's leading pianists. Her distinguished career included performances as a soloist, accompanist and actively teaching the piano for almost 60 years.

She studied music at the University of Melbourne and in London where she gave recitals for the BBC. During the 1950s and 1960s she had regular concert tours in Australia with visiting overseas musicians, such as violinist Jean-Pierre Wallez, cellist Edmund Kurtz and soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.

In 1966 she was appointed Chief Study Teacher at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium. She lectured in accompanying and piano at the Melba Conservatorium, examined for the Australian Music Examinations Board and adjudicated at many eisteddfods and competitions.

In 1988 Margaret Schofield was awarded the OAM for her services to music and to the community. She continued to teach and play until almost 80 years of age.

2008 Scholarship winners

This year two students were awarded Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarships.

Berta Brozgul

Berta started learning both piano and violin at age 8 and has won numerous awards over the years. She graduated with the VCE from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and is now studying piano at the Australian National Academy of Music.

Berta hopes to study further in Europe, and would like to combine a career as a soloist and in chamber music with teaching and research.

Alistair Robertson

Alistair attended Wangaratta High School where he graduated with his VCE and is now studying at the University of Melbourne to study for a Bachelor of Music degree.

Alistair has been learning the bass guitar for six years and played a major part in his school’s music program where he won awards for his contribution to the school’s music program. He hopes to pursue a career in music following his studies at university.

Both Berta and Alistair performed in Top Class Music, a concert in the VCE Season of Excellence 2008.

Applications

Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship - Application form (DOC - 126KB)

Closing date for applications is 31 October 2008.