Music Centre Award

UEA Music Centre awards a number of Music Centre Awards every year, to new and current students who show exceptional musical achievement and commitment.

The awards are for musicians of any instrument or voice and any style or tradition – including different national traditions. They are intended to encourage recipients to develop their musical and leadership skills and contribute significantly to music at UEA. A high standard of performance is expected, but equally important is a clear commitment to take leading roles in the musical life of the University.

Application is after entry to UEA, generally the second week of the autumn semester.

Each award is worth £800, paid in two equal instalments in November and February directly into the recipient’s nominated bank account.

Where the Director of Music believes that an applicant demonstrates clear potential but has not yet reached the standard required for a full award, a smaller developmental award may be offered to support their progress towards a main award in a future year.

The holder is expected to use this money to develop their musical skills and to devote at least part of it to taking lessons for their instrument or voice.

The awards are made for one year, but if the holder wishes to continue and can demonstrate to the Director of Music that they have made significant contributions during that year, they are welcome to re-audition for the next year and the award may be renewed. If at any point the Director of Music has concerns, the holder of an award may be invited to discuss their involvement in musical life. If it is felt that the holder is not willing or able to make the required contribution, the award may be withdrawn.​

To find out how previous Music Centre Award holders have benefited from their awards, please visit our previous Music Centre Award holders and Scholars profiles.

Requirements

No qualifications need to have been taken. A high standard of performance can be demonstrated at audition. In the case of a musician performing in a style or tradition without a formal method of assessment this is particularly important. For those used to the graded exam system it may be useful to say that a performing standard of Grade 8 and above is a benchmark. Neither Grade 8 nor any other exam need either have been taken or passed.

Please note that if you currently have a UEA Music Scholarship, you are not eligible for a UEA Music Centre Award.

The application process has two main parts:

1. You will need to submit either an online application form or a hard copy application form and provide details about your current and previous musical activities. We will ask you to outline your life so far as a musician, to tell us about some of your most exciting musical experiences and impressive musical achievements. We will ask you to think about how you might continue your musical activities at UEA (e.g. what from your research about the university has particularly caught your eye, what in your current musical life would you like to bring with you). We will also ask what you think are the special qualities that would make you a good award holder (e.g. your excellent leadership skills perhaps, or your ability to listen and find solutions to problems) and we will ask for examples of projects and work you have already done which show your special qualities. Please note that your commitment to contribute to musical life, and ability to be specific about how you intend to do this, will be extremely important in our decision making. The application deadline for the 2026 Music Centre Awards is 11am on Thursday 1 October 2026.

2. If your application is successful, you will be invited to audition with the Director of Music and Director of Choirs. During the audition, you will be asked to perform three contrasting items with a maximum combined duration of 10 minutes.

   • Two performances should be pieces that best demonstrate your musical strengths and may be accompanied or unaccompanied.
   • The third should be a short unaccompanied study or folk song.

   An accompanist can be provided on request, and applicants will be offered a short rehearsal before the audition. You may also choose to audition using backing tracks. However, where the chosen repertoire normally includes accompaniment, applicants are expected to perform with either a live accompanist or appropriate backing. Performing unaccompanied in these circumstances may be viewed less favourably.

   During the audition, the panel will particularly assess musical shape and interpretation, alongside technical accomplishment, variety of dynamics and tonal colour that supports musical flow, clarity, control and accuracy of intonation and interaction and musical communication with any accompanist or backing track.

   Guidance for composers

   • Composers should submit performances of their own works wherever possible, alongside scores.
   • Applicants working primarily in sound-based composition (for example singer-songwriters or producers) should submit three recordings representing their work. Those specialising in production or electronic music should also include brief notes outlining the intention behind each piece.
   • Singer-songwriters are considered hybrid performer-composers and should submit:
   o Two original songs with written lyrics
   o One additional unaccompanied traditional or folk song (or similar)
   • Applicants composing primarily in notation should submit scores for three works and, where possible, recordings of live performances. If live recordings are unavailable, computer-generated audio (such as Sibelius playback) is acceptable, provided it accurately reflects balance and musical detail. Vocal works may omit sung text if necessary.
   • The panel will assess up to 10 minutes of music across three works. You may indicate preferred excerpts; otherwise, selections will be made by the panel.

   The audition will also include an informal discussion about your application, giving you the opportunity to expand on the information provided in your application form. We may ask about your musical interests, ambitions and personal qualities, and there will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions about musical life at the University.

   Auditions for the 2026 Music Centre Awards are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2026.

If you have any questions about the awards, please email musicevents@uea.ac.uk.

Award holders are expected to make a significant contribution to the musical life of the University. For most students, this will involve performing as a committed and leading member of University ensembles relevant to their instrument or voice, while encouraging and supporting fellow musicians.

We welcome musicians from all styles and traditions. Where no suitable ensemble exists, scholars will be expected to contribute in other meaningful ways — for example by forming new ensembles, organising concerts, supporting the running of existing groups as a committee member, performing at University events, or offering solo and chamber music performances.

All Award holders will be expected to perform in at least one lunchtime concert each year and may also be asked to assist with organisational or administrative tasks where appropriate.

If you are away from UEA for an extended period (such as a semester abroad or in industry), we will suspend payment for the period you are away and unable to take part in music making at the University. If your course requires a year away from UEA you will be ineligible for a Music Centre Award in that year, though you are very welcome to apply for an Award in all years you are a student in residence at UEA.

The University reserves the right to withdraw an Award immediately if a Award holder fails to make a substantial contribution to musical life at UEA.

For full Undergraduate Award Terms and Conditions please refer to the UEA Undergraduate Award Terms and Conditions.