PRS for Music launches new scholarship scheme
22 October 2012
PRS for Music and the popular music college BIMM Brighton have launched a new scholarship scheme to help the development of songwriters and music business entrepreneurs.
The Springboard Scholarships, which go towards the funding of courses at BIMM Brighton, are designed to improve employment opportunities within the music industry and to equip students with the skills to develop their careers. The first recipients began their courses at this term.
Mark Lawrence, director of membership and rights with PRS for Music, said: 'We are delighted to collaborate on this unique scholarship arrangement with BIMM. Challenging economic times often give rise to exciting ideas, entrepreneurs and creators. We are licensing forward thinking start-ups like Mixcloud and supporting hard-working songwriters like Adele, but we also recognise the need to do more work with grass roots and emerging songwriters and composers. I am genuinely excited by this scheme. These students are going to be the future faces of the industry.'
BIMM Brighton student Kate Walsh was the first unsigned artist to have an album reach No 1 in the iTunes chart. She said her time at BIMM 'was priceless, learning from professional songwriters who know what they're talking about and bouncing ideas off other students was an invaluable experience that I'll never be able to recreate. BIMM tells you how the industry really is and prepares you for a real future doing something you love!'
Vaseema Hamilton, principal of BIMM Groups, said he was very proud of the scheme. 'Our aim is to ensure equality of opportunity for young people, to raise aspirations and educational attainment, improve employment prospects and offer young musicians and entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop under the guidance of BIMM’s highly experienced tutors and use this unique opportunity as a springboard into employment.'
Applications are now open for entry in October 2013. Each scholarship is for £1,000 towards course fees. Minimum entry requirements are four GCSEs at C or above.
