Drake Calleja Trust

Charity Number: 1164114

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £178,984 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (receives over 1,000 entries annually)
  • Decision Time: Applications in January, auditions in May
  • Grant Range: £2,500 - £9,000 (Senior); £500 - £1,500 (Junior)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (students studying in the UK, any nationality)

Contact Details

Address: Sovereign House, 1 Albert Place, London, N3 1QB

Phone: 020 8446 2220

Email: info@drakecallejatrust.org

Website: www.drakecallejatrust.org

Overview

The Drake Calleja Trust was established on 1 September 2015 by publisher and philanthropist James Drake to support young, emerging classical musicians. The Trust is honoured to be associated with its patron, Joseph Calleja, the acclaimed Maltese tenor. With total income of £279,787 in 2024 and total expenditure of £178,984, the Trust has supported 180 instrumentalists and singers during their studies since its inception. The charity is registered with the UK Charity Commission (No. 1164114) and Companies House (No. 09580141). The Trust's mission is to advance the education of the public by providing musical scholarships and grants for those with exceptional musical talent, particularly those from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The organization provides both financial support and artistic performance opportunities, working in genuine partnership with other organisations within music and the arts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Senior Scholarships (Age 18+)

  • Award Range: £2,500 - £9,000 for the whole academic year
  • Eligibility: Classical solo instrumentalists, accompanists, and singers studying in higher education in the UK
  • No nationality restrictions or upper age limit
  • Application Method: Annual application cycle; applications open in January, auditions held in London and Manchester in May

Junior Scholarships (Age 16-18)

  • Award Range: £500 - £1,500
  • Eligibility: Young classical performers aged 16-18
  • Application Method: Separate application process

Award amounts are based on the individual's financial needs, talent, and potential.

Priority Areas

  • Classical music education: Supporting students at UK universities and conservatoires
  • Performance development: Educational and performance opportunities for exceptional students, including concert opportunities
  • Financial need: Particular focus on students from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Instrument acquisition: Grants have been used by students to purchase new instruments
  • Professional development: Support for participation in competitions, masterclasses, training, and auditions
  • All classical instruments and voice: Solo instrumentalists, accompanists, and singers

What They Don't Fund

The Trust focuses exclusively on classical music education for students studying in the UK. While specific exclusions are not detailed, the focus is clearly on:

  • Individual musicians (not organizational grants)
  • Classical music (not other genres)
  • Students studying in the UK (not international study programs)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: The charity is governed by 3 trustees

Key Leadership:

  • James Drake, Chairman and Founder - Publisher and philanthropist who founded the Trust in 2015. Drake's mission is to connect people from different backgrounds to build successful ventures and contribute to society
  • Matthew Hargreaves, Manager - Runs and manages the Trust day-to-day operations
  • Joseph Calleja, Patron - Acclaimed Maltese tenor who stated about his philanthropic work: "It is really the pleasure of having the power to be able to change someone's life. It is a gift for me."

The Trust maintains formal policies on complaints handling, risk management, safeguarding, and trustee conflicts of interest.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Drake Calleja Trust operates an annual application cycle with a competitive audition process:

  1. Applications open: January each year
  2. Auditions held: May in London and Manchester
  3. Application method: Online application form available at www.drakecallejatrust.org/application-form
  4. Separate processes: Different application routes for Senior (18+) and Junior (16-18) scholarships

Applications are assessed based on musical talent, potential, and financial need. With over 1,000 entries received each year and 59 scholarships awarded in the first three years (2015-18), the Trust is highly competitive.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications open: January
  • Auditions: May
  • Scholarship year: Academic year basis
  • Notification: Following auditions in May (specific timelines not publicly disclosed)

Success Rates

The Trust is highly competitive:

  • Applications received: Over 1,000 entries annually
  • Historical awards: 59 scholarships awarded across the first three application cycles (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18)
  • Total scholars supported: 180 instrumentalists and singers to date
  • The Trust describes its scholars as “among the most talented young musicians in the world”

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Interested applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and approach:

Financial Need: Awards are explicitly "based on the individual's financial needs, talent and potential,“ with particular focus on ”those from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds." Demonstrating genuine financial need is a key component.

Exceptional Musical Talent: The Trust seeks musicians with exceptional talent and potential. The competitive audition process in May is central to assessment, suggesting performance quality is paramount.

Studying in the UK: You must be studying classical music in higher education in the UK. The Trust has supported students at institutions including the Royal College of Music and other UK conservatoires.

Use of Funds: Past scholars have used grants for instrument purchases, competition participation, masterclasses and training, and attending auditions. Clearly articulating how the scholarship will support your musical development is important.

Performance Opportunities: The Trust provides both financial and artistic support, including concert opportunities such as the Scholars' Concert at The Corinthia Hotel. Willingness to engage with these performance opportunities is valued.

Partnerships and Connections: The Trust aims to “work in genuine partnership with other organisations within music and the arts,” suggesting they value scholars who engage with the broader classical music community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Competitive but accessible: With over 1,000 applicants annually, competition is fierce, but the Trust welcomes applications from musicians of any nationality with no upper age limit
  • Financial need matters: Awards are explicitly based on a combination of talent, potential, AND financial need—don't undersell your circumstances
  • Audition is critical: The May auditions in London and Manchester are central to the selection process—ensure you're prepared to demonstrate exceptional musical ability
  • Beyond the money: The Trust offers concert opportunities and artistic support, not just financial grants—show enthusiasm for these developmental opportunities
  • Disadvantaged backgrounds prioritized: If you come from a socially or economically disadvantaged background, this aligns perfectly with the Trust's mission
  • Early preparation: Applications open in January with auditions in May—plan ahead to ensure you can attend auditions
  • Contact for guidance: With phone and email contact available, don't hesitate to reach out with questions about eligibility or the application process

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