Lincoln Fund Music Awards

Supporting musicians at Magdalene.

Bequests from Sir Anthony Lincoln (1929) and Lady Lisette Lincoln have endowed the Lincoln Awards and Grants for students at Magdalene.

Funds may be requested to provide financial assistance with music lessons, and for assistance with the costs of instrument parts and maintenance, and the purchase of sheet music. Please complete the Lincoln Fund Application Form and your application will be considered by the Music Committee.

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: £400

Number of awards: At the discretion of the panel.

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 or other supporting material. Please contact the Director of Music, Mr James Potter (jp2025@cam.ac.uk), if you have questions.

Award criteria: The criteria below are based on the Music Faculty’s grade descriptors.

For performers
A highly accomplished performance where technical control and fluency serve the goal of musical communication. There is refinement in the expressive detail, and a strong feeling of engagement and communication through an extremely well presented performance. 

For composers
SubmiĴed work will realise an imaginative and substantial idea with technical assurance and focus. There should be evidence of serious thought and imagination in most aspects of the style and form, and aĴention to expressive detail. The writing for instruments and for voices should be thoroughly idiomatic. Vocal seĴings should demonstrate an imaginative and effective response to the text and a convincing musical design. Presentation will be of a high standard.

These criteria can be considered indicative for producers/other genres. Where the panel lacks the expertise to assess a submission, external advice will be sought.

Application deadline: Applications should be sent to the Director of Music no later than the Monday before Lent Full Term.