The Amber Trust was set up to help all blind and partially sighted children – including those with additional disabilities – to access and enjoy music. Amber Music Awards exist to provide financial grants to individual children and young people in support of this vision.
The Music Awards are limited by the Trust’s capacity to raise funds. As the Trustees often receive more applications than they are able to support, Amber can only consider requests that will be of clear and direct benefit to the child or young person. Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
- Importance of music to the child
- Expected benefit of the Award to the child
- Capacity to obtain funding elsewhere
- The Amber Trust’s capacity to fund
What do Music Awards fund?
Amber Music Awards are open to all blind or partially sighted children and young people up to the age of 18, who may also have other disabilities or special educational needs. Music Awards can fund:
- Instrumental and singing lessons
- The purchase of musical instruments or items of specialist musical technology
- Tickets and assistance with attending concerts (where a child is already receiving music lessons through an Amber Music Award)
- Travel and accommodation to access opportunities for making music
Who can make the application?
Applications for an Amber Music Award must be made by a parent* or carer* of a blind or partially sighted child or young person (please note that we are unable to accept applications that have been completed on behalf of a parent or carer). From the age of 16 a young person can make an application in his or her own right. We accept applications for more than one child in the same family but a separate application should be submitted for each child.
*This should be a person who has parental responsibility for the child and with whom the child lives.
When should I apply?
Amber holds three award meetings per year. Applications should be submitted by the deadlines given below to guarantee they will be included for consideration at the meeting. Late applications will only be considered at the discretion of the trustees in exceptional circumstances. In most cased late applications will be carried over to the next meeting.
| Meeting | Deadline |
| March | End of February |
| July | End of June |
| December | End of November |
How much funding can I apply for?
You can apply for a Music Award to fund up to three school terms or a maximum 36 lessons or sessions across the school year. Music Awards for music lessons are usually only granted for one instrument.
* It should be noted that for new applicants it is usual for the Trustees to offer a one term grant with the request that a reapplication for further funding be made to the next meeting with a short report from the music teacher.
How long does each Music Award last?
The Music Award should be activated within six months of the date of the offer letter outlining the grant.
What to do next
If you are applying for the first time please take time to read our Music Award guidelines which includes a checklist of the information you will need to complete the online application form.
Music Award Guidelines (PDF) Apply for a Music Award here
Registration for music teachers
Full details, plus the Music Report Form, can be found on the Music teacher registration page