Lincoln Fund Music Awards
Bequests from Sir Anthony Lincoln (1929) and Lady Lisette Lincoln have endowed the Lincoln Awards and Grants for students at Magdalene.
Lincoln Awards
The Lincoln Awards offer prizes of up to £400 to candidates who can demonstrate an appropriate level of musicianship and ability on their instrument or voice. Musicians and groups from all genres including instrumentalists, vocalists and composers, are welcome to apply.
Auditions
Live auditions are held in mid-January and are 8 minutes in duration. Composers may submit recorded and/or notated music, as appropriate, to an equivalent of 8 minutes. Candidates applying as performers will be required to perform live to the panel. Candidates submitting a portfolio will be required to speak to the panel about their submission. Those seeking to renew awards will also be required to audition or speak to the panel.
As a rough guide, audition criteria will be of a standard equivalent to that required to pass grade VIII with distinction. The judging panel will comprise members of the College Music Committee. External experts may be asked to evaluate auditions or submissions where specialist knowledge is required.
Applicants should source their own accompanists where applicable, and each accompanist will be remunerated by the College (£30 per audition).
Award Holder Expectations
Award holders not in their final year at Magdalene are expected to contribute to the promotion of College music, for instance by performing two recitals per year, one of which may be arranged in conjunction with the College’s Development or Outreach Offices.
Applications for the renewal of awards will be considered alongside auditions in January. Candidates will be invited to discuss with the panel how they have contributed, and how they plan to continue to contribute to the musical life of the College.
Lincoln Award Overview
Award for: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Musicians, including instrumentalists, vocalists and composers.
Award value: Major awards of £400; Minor awards of £200.
Number of awards: At the discretion of the panel. The maximum award that anyone can receive as an individual is a Major Award.
Applying: Applications (including for renewals) should include a paragraph describing your musical experience, and indicating the possible uses towards which you would put an award grant. You should also indicate the names of the pieces you will perform at the audition, or, for non-performers, accompany your application with a submission of e.g. compositions of other supporting material. Please contact the Director of Music, Mr James Potter (jp2025@cam.ac.uk), if you have questions.
Award criteria: Please see the Lincold Award Criteria document for information about the judging criteria.
Application deadline: Applications should be sent to the Director of Music no later than the Monday before Lent Full Term.
Past Lincoln Award Holders
Past Lincoln Award Holders
2024/25
Major Awards
Priya Berks – Violin
Isaac Fee – Saxophone
Ed Hinchliff – Trumpet
Lydia Lee - Clarinet
Bethan Spragg – Cornet
Richard Taylor - Harpsichord
Dani Walker – Flute
Minor Awards
Joseph Cameron – Production
Gwilym Walters – Piano
2023/24
Major Awards
Priya Berks – Violin
Henry Montgomery – Voice
Bethan Spragg – Trumpet
Dani Walker – Flute, Piano, Voice (one award)
Minor Awards
Kathryn Bowers – Cello
Poppy Clevely – Voice
Nathan Smith – Voice
2022/23
Major Awards
Priya Berks – Violin
Henry Montgomery – Voice
Bethan Spragg – Trumpet
Dani Walker – Flute
Minor Awards
Sarah Dauris – Viola
Cameran Johal – Organ
Tim Tian – Composition
Jonah Tufton – Multi-instrumental composition and recording
2021/22
Major Awards
Bruce Fang – Piano
Henry Montgomery – Voice
Tim Tian and The Magdalene Jazz Band (Ewan Barrett, James Barrett, Isaac Fee, Jacob Haddo, Tasmin Jones, Ina Krüger, David Lawless, Henry Montgomery, Tim Tian and Jonah Tufton)
Minor Awards
Xian-Wei Chua – Piano
Mia Grant – Oboe
Charlotte Saudek – Voice
Gergely Vincze – Deep House (composition and performance)
2020/21
Major Awards
Bruce Fang – Piano
2019/20
Major Awards
Catriona Bourne Swinton Hunter – Flute
Bruce Fang – Piano
Duncan Fraser – Clarinet
2018/19
Major Awards
Catriona Bourne Swinton Hunter – Flute
Minor Awards
Duncan Fraser – Clarinet
2017/18
Major Awards
Catriona Bourne Swinton Hunter – Flute
Aidan Hilton – Bassoon
Eleanor Schaff – Voice
Minor Awards
Richard Cowley – Voice
Duncan Fraser – Clarinet
2016/17
Major Awards
Aditya Chander – Violin
Aidan Hilton – Bassoon
Polina Sosnina – Organ
Minor Awards
Eleanor Schaff – Voice
2015/16
Major Awards
Will Bosworth – Piano
Morgan Buckley – Classical Guitar
Aditya Chander – Violin
Yiwei Lu – Chinese Dulcimer, or Yangqin
Minor Awards
Peter Relph – Organ
2014/15
Major Awards
Will Bosworth – Piano
Morgan Buckley – Classical Guitar
Aditya Chander – Violin
Raphael Colman – Cello
Yiwei Lu – Chinese Dulcimer, or Yangqin
2013/14
Major Awards
Will Bosworth – Piano
Morgan Buckley – Classical Guitar
Raphael Colman – Cello
Lincoln Grants
Funds may be requested to provide financial assistance with music lessons, music books, etc. These grants are administered by the Tutors. Please complete the Lincoln Fund Application Form and your Tutor will then discuss your application with you.