Creating Performing Opportunities for Talented Young Musicians
in association with Scottish Music Societies
Sponsored in 2024/25 by:
CMS Charitable Trust, Albert & Eugenie Frost Music Trust
Cookie Matheson Charitable Trust, Radcliffe Trust
Since 1988, we have sponsored 126 different chamber groups in 773 concerts in 86 different music clubs throughout Scotland.
These annual awards are open to young professional emerging chamber music groups based in the United Kingdom.
Groups are normally expected to be at a ‘Senior Undergraduate’ or ‘Postgraduate’ level. Groups would not normally be considered if the average age is over 30. We do not offer awards to vocal groups nor to singers unless an individual singer is part of a larger instrumental chamber group. We also do not offer awards to instrumental duos consisting of a soloist with accompanist. Duos in which the players are equal partners, for example in violin and piano or flute and piano sonatas, are eligible.
We do not make grants. The awards take the form of paid engagements with local Music Clubs throughout Scotland, usually arranged in short tours, the Trust being responsible for the artists’ fees and the Clubs contributing travel expenses and accommodation. The fees we pay are relatively modest but the value of the awards is that they provide invaluable platform experience and an introduction to the logistics of planning and carrying out tours.
We make a point of offering concerts to Music Clubs even in small and remote places the length and breadth of Scotland and winners must be prepared to undergo the rigours of a Scottish winter. All of our previous winners have enjoyed the appreciation and hospitality of their host Clubs and have enriched their professional careers. Many are invited back year after year to places to which they were introduced as Tunnell Trust winners.
It is vital to the judges that your recording is of a good technical quality. Video recordings are not acceptable. On the basis of the form and recordings submitted, a short list of finalists will be invited to audition in London.
A great number of our Award Winners have gone on to pursue high profile successful international careers. By paying the concert fees for our Award Winners to perform in Music Clubs all over Scotland, everyone wins! The Young Musicians gain a fee for much needed performing experience, the Music Club receives a ‘fee free’ extra concert in its series and the community has the opportunity to hear first rate music on their doorstep.