Margaret Kate Parker Scholarship

History

This scholarship was established by Margaret Kate Parker, via the University of Wellington Foundation in 2020, to recognise potential in music performance at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington.

Throughout Margaret Kate Parker’s life music has been important. She studied piano and enjoyed choir singing, especially with the Nelson Civic Choir under the direction of Ralph Lilly and George Wilkinson. Margaret regularly attended concerts held in Wellington and while living in Waipukurau would travel to hear the National Symphony Orchestra (now the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra).

Margaret has a great interest in the successful and ongoing Upper Hutt Music Society of which she was a Foundation member in 1966. The Society, which has promoted many gifted performers in their time, has gone on to help create Expressions in Upper Hutt. She supported the fundraising effort for their new Steinway D, now in the purpose-built concert chamber.

Margaret says that music is part of our inherited culture and must be valued. More than ever, in our present world we need the pleasure of participation or listening, as music can provide release from tension and be an uplift.

She says it is her turn to annually help a student from the New Zealand School of Music to continue their participation in making music a delight, not only for themselves but for others as well.

She was a qualified Commercial Teacher for many years and enjoyed her time with students.

Who is eligible?

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognise and reward students in music performance – piano, voice, strings and woodwind - demonstrating excellence and potential for a career. Preference will be given to undergraduate students from Upper Hutt and the Wellington Region, but applications are open for students from anywhere across the country.

The recipient will be expected to demonstrate engagement and contribute to the community and environment of the New Zealand School of Music. The recipient will also be expected to submit a report or presentation following the completion of the project (should the funds be used for this purpose).

Selection criteria

• Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
• Selection is contingent on full-time enrolment as a student at the New Zealand School of Music in the year it is received.
• The scholarship will be available annually to a music student demonstrating excellence in performance and with career potential on either piano, voice, strings or woodwind.
• Scholarship funds are to assist the student with fees, a project undertaken during their studies, or equipment directly related to their studies. Applicants need to indicate the intended use for the funds to the Scholarships Office.

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

Where the funds pertain to a specific project, the applicant is required to provide an outline of the project and budget for consideration.

Selection process

The recipient will be selected by representatives from the New Zealand School of Music Scholarships Committee.

Additional information

Where no suitable applicant is identified in a given year, the available funds can, at the discretion of the decision-makers, be rolled over to the next academic year.

Recipients are required to write a letter of thanks to the donor within a month of receiving 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