Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarships
About the Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarships
Application opening date for the 2026 Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship to be announced.
The Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarships are open to students who have completed their VCE at a government secondary school. They assist recipients to pursue further domestic studies in music performance and composition.
The scholarship program was established in 2006 by the family of the late Margaret Schofield.
Music Performance Scholarship
Applications for this annual scholarship are invited from government school students of:
- VCE Music Inquiry
- VCE Music Contemporary Performance
- VCE Music Repertoire Performance; and/or
- VCE VET Music (Performance).
Applicants must be soloists.
The selection panel will consider applicants who demonstrate a commitment to music performance in recent years and a future career in music performance. Students' study scores will be taken into consideration.
In 2025, recipients received a scholarship of $8,000 to contribute towards the cost of domestic tertiary education in music performance.
Music Composition Scholarship
Applications for this annual scholarship are invited from government school students of:
- VCE Music Composition
- VCE Music Inquiry
- VCE Music Contemporary Performance
- VCE Music Repertoire Performance; and/or
- VCE VET Music.
The selection panel will consider applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to music composition in recent years and a future career in music composition. Students' study scores will be taken into consideration.
In 2025, recipients received a scholarship of $8,000 will contribute towards the cost of domestic tertiary education in music composition.
2025 Recipients
Performance
Congratulations to Hannah Tyrrell, Stephanie Ludlow and Cedar Christensen-Elliott – the 2025 recipients of the Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship for Performance.
Hannah studied VCE Music Repertoire Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Stephanie studied VCE Music Contemporary Performance at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. Cedar studied VCE Music Composition at Virtual School Victoria, and VCE Music Inquiry and VCE Music Contemporary Performance at Princes Hill Secondary Collage.
Composition
Congratulations to Corey Day and Eliza Henson Gregg – the 2025 recipients of the Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship for Composition. Corey studied VCE Music Inquiry and VCE VET Music (Sound Production) at Wodonga Senior Secondary College. Eliza studied VCE Music Composition and VCE Music Repertoire Performance at Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.
History of the Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarships
Margaret Schofield
These scholarships were established by the family of the late Margaret Schofield in recognition of her achievements as a musician and her commitment to music education. The award of the scholarship is coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
Margaret’s life and career are acknowledged through this scholarship, including her achievements and commitment to the provision of educational opportunities for all.
Margaret 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.