Graduate Women Wellington - Ella C Wilson Music Award

History and purpose

The award was established in memory of a bequest made by Ella C Wilson who was a long serving staff member of Napier Girls’ High School, teaching English and French. She came to Wellington when she retired as Deputy Principal. Ella was a Wellingtonian and completed a Bachelor of Music at Victoria University of Wellington prior to becoming a teacher. Her father died suddenly when she was 24, and her own dreams of doing any postgraduate study were lost at that time. Ella had seen Rachmaninov play when on a overseas trip and counted it a highlight of her life. She is buried at Karori Cemetery.

The award is to support students of the New Zealand School of Music who are enrolled full time in either an undergraduate or postgraduate music degree and have applied, or be about to apply, to study for a BMusHons, PGDip, MMus, MMA, MTherapy, PhD, or DMA degree in any of the disciplines at the NZSM in the year following the scholarship application, with a preference given to Masters students. Funds will only be awarded upon confirmation of postgraduate enrolment at the NZSM.

Who is eligible?

• Must be female students (applicants must identify as female, including cis-gendered and trans-gendered) at the New Zealand School of Music.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a degree at the NZSM, and be accepted to and enrolled in a postgraduate music degree, with preference given to Masters applicants.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
• Financial hardship may be taken into consideration.

Selection criteria

• The award shall be open to female students who are enrolled at the NZSM, and intending to study a higher-level postgraduate degree at the NZSM. Confirmation of enrolment required.
• Applicants must be students of the New Zealand School of Music.
• Applicants must be NZ citizens or permanent residents.
• Selection will be based on academic excellence with preference being given to Masters, Honours then Undergraduate students, in that order.

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 statement outlining personal qualities that offer the promise of future service to the community.
• To complete the Financial information section.

Decision makers

The successful recipient will be selected by a panel of appropriate New Zealand School of Music staff.

Additional information

Recipients must write a letter of thanks to Graduate Women Wellington.

An acknowledgement of the support provided by Graduate Women Wellington must be included in all publicity or material resulting from this award.

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