Athol Mann Award for Vocal Students

History

The Athol Mann Award for Classical Voice was established in 2018 with a generous bequest from Athol Mann in acknowledgment of his passion for Opera and commitment to students of classical voice.

The late Emeritus Professor Athol Mann, a former Dean of what is now known as Wellington School of Business and Government and a prominent Wellington figure, has left a long legacy at Victoria University of Wellington.

While his career was in accountancy, Athol originally planned to study history and had a lifelong interest in the arts. He grew up in a musical family and developed a passion for opera after seeing an internationally acclaimed cast perform Verdi’s Rigoletto in his home city of Christchurch as a teenager. He once said that he had an “addiction for music the way some others have an addiction for golf”.

He was actively involved in choral singing for 30 years and held senior positions in a wide range of musical organisations. This included being the inaugural chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a founding director of Te Papa Museum and a member of the board of New Zealand Opera up until his death in 2017. In 1986, he was awarded the CMG for service to the accountancy.

Athol described leaving a bequest to the University “an opportunity to do something for Victoria to repay what the University has done for me”.

This scholarship is to support students majoring in Classical Voice at the New Zealand School of Music at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. It will be awarded to support students in preparation for their audition tour.

Who is eligible?

• Applicants must be enrolled full-time at the New Zealand School of Music majoring in Classical Voice.
• Applicants must be intending to enrol full time in their Honours year in the year following application.

Selection criteria

This scholarship is open to current New Zealand School of Music students who are majoring in Classical Voice. Preference for postgraduate students however, undergraduate students may still apply. Selection will be based on academic merit.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

• A personal statement.
• A tour plan and budget.

Decision makers

Selection will be made by the Director of NZSM, in consultation with Voice staff and NZSM Scholarship coordinator.

Additional information

Recipients will be asked to write a letter of appreciation to the family of Athol Mann upon acceptance.

Recipients will be required to provide a report to the donor’s family at the end of the tenure of the scholarship, giving an overview of how they have used the funds.

The recipient will be expected to demonstrate engagement and contribute to the community and environment of the New Zealand School of Music. This may include but is not limited to, participation in ensembles, presentations, or performances at NZSM or university events.

Regulations and conditions

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04