Music Scholarships

Students who wish to apply for a Music Scholarship must sit for the Scholarship Examination, followed by an audition on a later date after the exam.

Application Process

• You can apply for a Scholarship online via the buttons below. Only online registrations are accepted.
• Payment of $145 is required at the time of registration.
• During the online application process students will need to answer, in their own words, questions about their school experience and achievements.

Applications close: Thursday 11 February 2027

Examination: Sunday 21 February 2027

The Scholarship Examination is an online exam administered by Academic Assessment Services that will be sat in the child’s home. It is not possible to sit the test on another day, please make sure that your child is available to sit the test on the day before applying.

Applicants for a Music Scholarship are automatically eligible to apply for an Academic Scholarship and are not required to pay an additional application fee.

Music auditions: Parents will be contacted regarding audition times once Scholarship applications have closed.

Additional Requirements

1. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their music reports to Central Coast Grammar School as part of their online application.
2. Applicants must download a Music Teacher Reference Form and send to their referee to complete and return to Enrolments at enrol@ccgs.nsw.edu.au by Thursday 11 February 2027.

Eligibility

Music scholarships are open to candidates with a high level of instrumental/vocal competency in the following areas:

• Keyboard: piano
• Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar and harp
• Woodwind: flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe
• Brass: cornet/trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba
• Percussion: drum kit, orchestral/tuned percussion
• Singing: all voices

Applicants may audition on their main instrument or two (only) instruments. A maximum of two performances will be required for the audition.

Selection Criteria

• A high standard of technical and performance demonstrated at the audition
• Strong aural, musicology and theory skills
• Past and present musical experience, based on a portfolio of examination report, relevant concert programs and compositions (if applicable) provided by the applicant and a reference provided by a current music teacher
• Performance in the Scholarship Examination

After the results of the Scholarship Examination are available, students who have been placed on the shortlist will be asked to attend an interview at the school. Scholarship interviews are conducted at the end of Term 1 2026.

If students are not available during this time to attend an interview, unfortunately, they will not be considered for a scholarship as this may delay the selection and offer process.

Applicants should ensure they have no conflicting commitments during this time.

Commitment – Scholarship Candidates

• Music scholars are required to study elective Music up to, and including, the HSC:
  • Year 7 Music scholars and parents are required to attend a meeting with the Head of Music in Term 2 of Year 9 to discuss Year 10 and HSC subject options available to them.
  • Year 10 Music scholars are required to study elective Music in Year 10 and the HSC.
• Regularly and willingly participate in at least two of the School’s cocurricular music ensembles on the musical instrument / voice that they presented at the scholarship audition.

  One ensemble should be an open entry music ensemble in which the music scholar demonstrates and develops their musical leadership.

  The other ensemble should be an advanced ensemble, appropriate for the musical instrument / voice that they presented at the scholarship audition (subject to a successful audition for the advanced ensemble).

• Perform regularly in public, School and/or eisteddfod performances either as a soloist or ensemble performer.
• Continue professional private music tuition for the duration of the scholarship on the principal instrument/ voice that they presented at the scholarship audition. Private music tuition may occur within Central Coast Grammar School’s instrumental tuition program or externally.
• Prioritise School rehearsal and performances in their working week

Requirements for Audition

• Two contrasting pieces (in the case of students who play two instruments, one piece on each instrument only)
• Scales, to include both major and minor scales and their arpeggios
• Sight reading (on their choice of instrument)
• A short improvisation (on their choice of instrument) over a simple progression of primary chords, demonstrating the student’s creativity and musical responsiveness

Candidates are required to provide their own accompanist, as is appropriate for the pieces selected or may submit a backing track in MP3 format.

Value of Scholarships

Scholarships cover remission of tuition fees only. Additional costs such as uniform items, computer notebook, textbooks, excursions and consolidated charges are not included.

The value of each Scholarship may vary depending on the calibre of the candidate and may cover 100% or a portion of tuition fees.

The school reserves the right to withhold a Scholarship (in any Year) if there are no candidates of sufficient merit.

All Scholarships are subject to annual review but are normally tenable for the length of the recipient’s education at the School, subject to continuing satisfactory progress, performance and attitude.

Notification of Offer of Scholarship

A letter indicating whether the applicant has been successful or otherwise will be sent to the parents/guardian by the end of Term 1, 2027.

The School does not provide feedback to parents on any aspect of the scholarship process. This includes the applicant’s performance in the scholarship examination, music aptitude test, music audition or any interview.

Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the school and the School’s decision is final.

A non-refundable $1,500 Scholarship Entrance Fee will become payable on acceptance of an offer of a Scholarship (means-tested scholarship recipients are exempt).

Students are shortlisted after the interview process. This list is kept active for 12 months from the date of the Scholarship Examination.

For enquiries, please contact the School’s Enrolments Manager:

T. 4367 6766
E. enrol@ccgs.nsw.edu.au