Winspear Fund Scholarships for Advanced Classical Music

The Winspear Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation has a tradition of encouraging excellence within the arts and education sectors. The Fund supports talented local artists pursuing advanced studies in classical music, including both instrumental and vocal performance. Named after Francis George Winspear, a successful businessman and philanthropist renowned as an ardent admirer of music and the arts, these scholarships continue his legacy of supporting excellence in classical music performance. Each year, approximately 20 students receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 CAD. The scholarships are designed to assist recipients with costs such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, living expenses, and travel for confirmed auditions. Recipients must be pursuing advanced classical music study outside the local area, generally outside of Alberta, at a recognized post-secondary institution or with a recognized private music teacher, or have confirmed dates for opera or orchestral auditions. The primary criteria for selection are quality of performance and proven recognition of achievement in classical music performance at the local, national, or international level. Applicants must submit professional quality recordings demonstrating their musical abilities, along with letters of reference from their current major teacher and someone who can speak to their current musical ability. The application process requires careful attention to recording quality and format specifications, as recordings are the main determinant in the success of applications. Eligibility is limited to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have resided in the Greater Edmonton area or Northern Alberta (including Lacombe and areas north) and maintain this as their permanent residence with family continuing to live in the region. Applicants must be of amateur status and have achieved recognized excellence in classical music performance.