Click here for latest Awards

Margaret Howard and Douglas Craig Bursaries

As part of its educational role, the Sussex Opera and Ballet Society funds four bursaries annually, two each in Classical Ballet and Opera. The bursaries are each for up to £500.

The awards are made to promising young students, who show outstanding ability and whose talents would be nurtured by attending training courses relevant to those aspiring to professional careers in these arts and who might not otherwise be able to afford the fees.

The Margaret Howard Awards

The Margaret Howard Bursaries have in the past been awarded for attendance at the Ardingly International Summer Music School and the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, other courses of similar standing can also be considered.

The International Summer School is held at Ardingly College, usually during August. 

The Margaret Howard Dancer's Bursary has been given for fees and accommodation for one week's attendance at the Yorkshire Ballet Seminar, normally held in York during July and August.

The dancer should be able to provide evidence that he/she is at, or very near, Intermediate examination level. Both singer and dancer should be intent on pursuing a professional career in opera or in ballet.

The Douglas Craig Awards 

These recently funded awards commemorate Douglas Craig's years as President of SOBS.

The singer's award is given towards study at the Royal College of Music. That for ballet is given for study at the Royal Ballet School as a Junior Associate.

Applying for a Bursary

Preference will be given to performers from of East and West Sussex, including the City of Brighton & Hove and who show talent in spite of financial stringency.

Applicants must not be older than 18 for ballet and 25 for opera on 1st September in the year to which the Bursary applies.

For an application form click here or write to:
Hon. Secretary SOBS, Mrs M Boyle, 50 Pashley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 8EA.

For details of current awards made - click here