Applications now open for the Theodore Kuchar Scholarship

Date: Thursday, 27th August 2009

Applications are now open for the Theodore Kuchar Scholarship, which is presented by Townsville City Council in partnership with the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, to a young, emerging Townsville musician.

Local orchestral students have the opportunity to apply for the $4000 Scholarship to assist with the cost of instrument tuition and professional development.

Initiated in honour of Theodore Kuchar in 1997, founding artistic director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM), the Theodore Kuchar Scholarship for Excellence in Music aims to support young, emerging artists and increase the opportunities for growth and skill development at an advanced level.

The scholarship is offered to students currently in Year 10. The successful applicant will receive $2000 in Year 11 and Year 12 respectively. Application details are available at the AFCM website and on council`s website.

AFCM general manager Yvette Braithwaite-Bragg encouraged aspiring artists to apply for the scholarship.

“The aim is to foster the next generation of artists who will appear at Townsville’s iconic Australian Festival of Chamber Music,” she said.

Lifestyle and Community Development Committee chair Cr Jenny Lane said the council had been a proud supporter of the festival since its inception.

“The Australian Festival of Chamber Music gets better and better. Piers Lane certainly raised the bar this year and I am very much looking forward to next year’s festival and the talent it presents,” she said. “I am very proud of the festival and the fact that Townsville hosts it. We’re pleased to support this scholarship and the new talent that it will support. I encourage all young artists to apply.”

Applications close on Friday, 4 September 2009 and the successful applications will be announced at the end of October. For further information on the Theodore Kuchar Scholarship, contact the Australian Festival of Chamber Music office on 07 4771 4144.

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is made possible by sponsorship from a number of pioneering organisations. AFCM’s Principal Partners include Townsville City Council, Arts Queensland and Australia Council for the Arts.