The Choir Schools Association Bursary Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £308,971 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 6-10 weeks (depending on deadline)
• Grant Range: Means-tested (exact amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (44-46 member choir schools)
• Beneficiaries: Approximately 120 choristers per year

Contact Details

Website: www.choirschools.org.uk

Email:

• General enquiries: info@choirschools.org.uk
• Bursary enquiries: bursaries@choirschools.org.uk

Phone: 01223 353532

Address: Choir Schools Association, Cambridge (specific address available on website)

Overview

The Choir Schools Association Bursary Trust Limited (Charity No. 1120639) was registered on 22 August 2007, though its Chorister Fund dates back to 1985. The Trust exists to award bursaries to choristers to help with the payment of school fees from money provided by the government and other donations. In the financial year ending 30 June 2024, the charity had total income of £371,609 and total expenditure of £308,971, with £265,761 coming from the Department for Education's Music and Dance Scheme. The Trust's mission is clear and aspirational: "Every prospective chorister who is offered a place in one of our members' choirs is able to accept it, regardless of financial circumstances." The Trust supports approximately 120 choristers at any one time across the CSA's 44-46 member schools attached to cathedrals, churches, and college chapels throughout Great Britain and beyond. In 2024, the association launched new branding and website to better serve families seeking information about becoming a chorister.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Music and Dance Scheme Bursaries (Government-funded)

• Funded through the Department for Education's Music and Dance Scheme
• Means-tested support based on household income
• Families with gross household income below £15,000 pay no school fees
• Sliding scale of parental contributions for higher incomes
• For choristers aged 8-13 attending member choir schools

CSA Bursary Trust Fund (Charity-funded)

• Additional limited funding from the Trust's own resources
• Provides supplementary support beyond government scheme
• Also means-tested

Application Method: Applications processed through schools on rolling deadlines (three windows per year)

Priority Areas

The Trust exclusively funds:

• Chorister training at member choir schools
• Support for pupils pursuing education in the cathedral choral tradition
• Fees assistance for music/dance education (secondary objective)
• Relief of poverty through educational bursaries

What They Don't Fund

• Non-choristers at choir schools (unless specifically for dance/music training)
• Schools that are not full members of the Choir Schools Association
• Adult education or training
• Non-educational expenses
• Applications from families not engaged with a member choir school

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Governance and Leadership

The Choir Schools Association (Parent Organisation)

Chair: David Morton, Headmaster of King's School, Gloucester

Vice Chair: Yvette Day, Head of King's College School, Cambridge

Treasurer: John Attwater, Principal of King's School, Ely

Central Team:

• Rachel Hicks, Executive Director: Chartered Marketer with extensive charity and education experience
• Claire Card, Membership and Communications Officer
• Kathryn Young, Bursary and Finance Administrator

Bursary Trust Trustees

The Trust has 9 trustees, including:

• Mr Nicholas Robinson BA, PGCE
• Mrs Claire Hickman BA, MA, PGCE
• Mr Jonathan Henry Milton
• Mrs Elizabeth Caroline Cairncross
• Mr Roger Philip Overend
• Mr Robert Bacon

Governance Structure: The charity is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated 10 July 2007) and a Deed of Trust (dated 26 May 1985). No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are made through the choir school, not directly to the CSA. The process is described as “simple” and “transparent”:

1. Initial Meeting: Parents consult with the Head at the choir school during their initial meeting
2. Audition: Child must be offered a chorister place at a member choir school
3. School Submission: The school submits bursary applications to the CSA on behalf of parents
4. Assessment: Means-testing conducted based on household income and circumstances
5. Decision: Notification sent to both parents and schools

Required Documentation: While not explicitly detailed on the website, means-tested applications typically require:

• Payslips
• Tax returns (for self-employed)
• Benefit letters
• Bank statements
• Details of household income, savings, and investments

Bursary Information Sheet: Detailed guidance available in the downloadable “Bursary information sheet for parents” on the CSA website

Decision Timeline

The CSA operates three application windows per year, aligned with audition timing:

| Audition Period | Application Deadline | Notification Timing |

|----------------|---------------------|-------------------|

| September-October | 30th October | December |

| November-February | February half term | Start of Easter Term (April) |

| February-May | May half term | July |

Timeline from submission: Approximately 6-10 weeks, depending on which window is used.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, the Trust supports approximately 120 choristers at any one time with bursaries and scholarships, distributed across 44-46 member schools.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Families should consult with their choir school about ongoing bursary support and annual reassessment processes, as means-tested bursaries typically require annual renewal.

Application Success Factors

The CSA's vision statement provides the clearest insight into their priorities: "Every prospective chorister who is offered a place in one of our members' choirs is able to accept it, regardless of financial circumstances."

Key Success Factors:

1. Chorister Place First: You must first secure a chorister place at a member choir school through audition. The bursary follows the place, not vice versa.

1. Member School Engagement: Applications are made through the school, so early engagement with the Head or admissions team is essential. Schools know the CSA process and can guide families effectively.

1. Means-Testing Transparency: The Trust uses a “simple, transparent process” - be prepared to provide comprehensive financial information. Families with gross household income below £15,000 receive full fee support, with sliding scales applied above this threshold.

1. Timing Matters: Apply within the correct deadline window based on your child's audition timing. Missing a deadline could delay support by an entire term.

1. Government Scheme Alignment: The majority of funding (£265,761 of £371,609 in 2023-24) comes from the DfE's Music and Dance Scheme, so applications must meet government criteria for this means-tested support.

1. Additional School Support: Remember that individual cathedral foundations often provide their own chorister scholarships and means-tested support. The CSA bursary is additional to school-level support, so families may receive combined assistance.

1. Limited Additional Funding: Beyond the government scheme, the Trust has “limited” funds from its own Bursary Trust Fund, suggesting high competition for supplementary support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: This funder provides bursaries directly to families, not grants to organisations. The following takeaways are for families seeking chorister bursaries:

• The CSA's mission is access: Their explicit vision is that financial circumstances should never prevent a chorister from accepting a place - if your child has the talent and secures an offer, financial support is available
• Start with the school: All applications go through the member choir school, so engage with them early in the admissions process to understand bursary availability
• Three windows, one year: With three application deadlines per year, timing your audition and application correctly ensures faster support decisions
• Means-testing is central: Be prepared to provide comprehensive financial disclosure - those with household income below £15,000 pay nothing, while others pay on a sliding scale
• Government scheme is primary: Most funding comes from the DfE's Music and Dance Scheme, making this effectively a government-funded program administered by the CSA
• 120 choristers supported annually: The scale of support is significant relative to the specialist nature of choir schools, suggesting reasonable accessibility for qualifying families
• Layer your support: Combine CSA bursaries with individual school scholarships and cathedral foundation support for maximum financial assistance

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Radcliffe Trust
• CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust
• Milton Mount Foundation
• RESTORE THE MUSIC UK
• UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK SOUND FOUNDATION
• THE ALBERT AND EUGENIE FROST MUSIC TRUST CIO
• The Pilling Trust Fund
• William Gibbs Religious and Educational Trust
• The Sir John Gielgud Charitable Trust
• IAPS Charitable Trust

References

1. Charity Commission - The Choir Schools Association Bursary Trust Limited (Charity No. 1120639), charity overview and financial information, accessed 9 December 2024: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4033606/charity-overview

1. Choir Schools Association - Bursaries page, including application deadlines and process overview, accessed 9 December 2024: https://www.choirschools.org.uk/bursaries/

1. Choir Schools Association - About the CSA, including leadership and governance information, accessed 9 December 2024: https://www.choirschools.org.uk/about-the-csa/

1. Choir Schools Association - Help with fees information, accessed 9 December 2024: https://www.choirschools.org.uk/help-with-fees/

1. GOV.UK - Music and Dance Scheme: funding for students, including choir school scholarship scheme details, accessed 9 December 2024: https://www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme

1. House of Lords Library - Access to specialist music and dance schools, accessed 9 December 2024: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/access-to-specialist-music-and-dance-schools/

1. Companies House - The Choir Schools' Association Bursary Trust Limited (Company No. 06307873), accessed 9 December 2024: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06307873

1. OpenCharities - The Choir Schools Association Bursary Trust Limited, financial data, accessed 9 December 2024: http://opencharities.org/charities/1120639

1. Choir Schools Association - CSA News, including 2024 updates and new member announcements, accessed 9 December 2024: https://www.choirschools.org.uk/csa-news/

1. Wells Cathedral School - Zino is CSA Chorister Composer 2024, example of recent CSA activities, accessed 9 December 2024: https://wells.cathedral.school/2024/12/02/zino-is-csa-chorister-composer-2024/