Confidently Prepare for Music Scholarship Applications & Auditions – Without the Guesswork
Explore our Music Scholarship Course Packages
Three levels of support for every stage of your music scholarship journey.
Whether you're just starting to explore music scholarships or preparing for an upcoming audition, Prelude Education offers tailored support for every stage of the process. Explore our three-tiered programme to find the perfect fit for your family.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Discover how each of our program pillars is designed to provide your child with the edge they need
Scholarship Clarity
Get complete clarity on the best scholarships for your child by value, location, and school reputation. Gain access to a step-by-step breakdown of the whole application process ensuring you can efficiently manage deadlines and submissions.
Scholarship Success
Create a standout scholarship application that highlights your child's unique musical talents and achievements. Build a compelling portfolio, choose the repertoire that will make them shine, and give them the tools to capture the attention of scholarship selection committees.
Audition Confidence
We’ll develop bulletproof audition confidence for your child to navigate intimidating panels and unfamiliar venues with ease. Give them a competitive edge in securing a music scholarship by allowing them to be themselves and let their passion do the talking.
We’ve Supported 400+ Students to Achieve Music Scholarships
OUR PACKAGES
Three levels of support for every stage of your music scholarship journey
Tier I: Scholarship Clarity
WHO FOR: For families in the early stages of considering music scholarships.
HOW DELIVERED: Three hour-long bespoke classes delivered to parents online.
COST: £600
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Gain the ultimate foundation for understanding the music scholarship landscape in the UK, from an overview of leading British private schools to clarity on the application process.
After the session, you will understand the process for applying for music scholarships and be given a roadmap document with a checklist of everything you need to do to prepare.
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Get clarity on what makes a good private school and music department, and become confident in shortlisting schools.
Following this session, you will be given exclusive access to Prelude Education’s interactive guide of leading British private schools and resources to support you in shortlisting schools.
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Nearly all scholarship applicants play two instruments to a high level, so how can your child stand out? In this session, we focus on how to build a compelling application and portfolio for your child.
During the session, we’ll create a bespoke action plan, which Ralph Allwood will review. Equipped with this step-by-step plan, you'll gain confidence on how to craft a compelling portfolio.
Tier II: Practical Audition and Interview Support
WHO FOR: For families in the mid-to-late stages of scholarship preparation.
HOW DELIVERED: Three in-person and two online bespoke classes delivered to the scholarship candidate. Classes range from 1 to 1.5h. For families abroad or unable to travel to London, it is possible to hold all the sessions online.
COST: £2,000
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Understand what’s expected — and how to excel.
In this session with Howard Ionascu, your child will complete a bespoke assessment and receive expert strategies to develop their sight-reading and aural skills, aligned with scholarship expectations.
You’ll receive written feedback and a personalised plan to focus improvement efforts where it matters most.
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Give confident, thoughtful answers — without being overcoached.
Interviews can set students apart. This session with Miles Contreras-Brown helps your child articulate their musical journey and ambitions naturally, with clarity and confidence.
Beforehand, you’ll complete an interview workbook. After the session, you’ll receive expert resources on how to prepare for different styles of interview questions.
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Simulate the real thing — and know exactly how to improve.
Led by an expert in your child’s principal instrument, this mock audition replicates the real experience and provides detailed feedback on performance, stage presence, and rehearsal strategy.
You’ll receive written feedback outlining clear, actionable next steps for your repertoire.
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Work with Britain’s leading authority on music scholarships.
In this 1:1 session, Ralph Allwood MBE offers expert insight into your child’s scholarship readiness, whether through a mock audition, aural and sight-reading assessment, or general advice.
Each session includes a short mock interview and written feedback with specific next steps.
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Reflect on progress and clarify the road ahead.
This final session with Miles Contreras-Brown reviews your child’s development across the course. It’s a chance to consolidate everything learned, address outstanding questions, and map out next steps.
You’ll receive a written report summarising all feedback and a practical action plan moving forward.
Tier III: Full Scholarship Course
WHO FOR: For families looking for the ultimate multi-year preparation programme
HOW DELIVERED: Five in-person and five online bespoke classes delivered to parents and scholarship candidate. Classes range from 1 to 1.5h. For families abroad or unable to travel to London, it is possible to hold all the sessions online.
COST: £3,000
INCLUDES:
All course content from Tier I and Tier II
Includes an ongoing 15% discount on private consultation sessions with any of our music scholarship consultants
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Choose repertoire that showcases your child at their very best.
This session focuses on selecting audition pieces that highlight your child’s unique musical strengths, meet school-specific requirements, and demonstrate range, technical ability, and musicality.
Following the session, you'll receive a tailored workbook to help you finalise repertoire choices with confidence.
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Master the mindset and techniques for a confident audition.
Auditioning at an unfamiliar school can be daunting — but it doesn’t have to be. This session with Samuel Ng helps your child develop the confidence, focus, and stage presence needed to shine under pressure.
Following the session, your child will receive personalised performance strategies and exercises to implement in the run-up to their audition.
Your Scholarship Experts
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Miles is the founder of Prelude Education, Britain’s only music-specialist scholarship advisory service. Trusted by families and schools for over eight years as an education consultant and private teacher, Miles has an extensive knowledge of the independent education sector and supporting children to realise their potential.
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Ralph Allwood MBE was Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years and is Britain’s leading authority on music scholarships. He has taught over 10,000 students, delivered 200 courses, and supported 400 students to be awarded music scholarships to some of the most competitive schools in Britain. Ralph was made an MBE by the Late Queen in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list in recognition of his services to choral music.
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Howard Ionascu is a professional conductor, specialising in choral music. Howard’s diverse career began as a professional singer in Wells Cathedral Choir. Since then, Howard has led departments at some of the UK’s finest educational establishments and directed the choirs at Winchester College, King’s Canterbury and Junior Royal Academy of Music. Howard was also the Director of the Junior Royal Academy of Music from 2013 - 2018.
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Samuel Ng is an accomplished cellist and holds a BMus and MMus from the Royal College of Music. Alongside his work as Director of Tuition at Prelude Education, Samuel also teaches at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music.
We also work with other scholarship experts, from professors at the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, to former directors of music at various independent schools. Whatever your instrument and scholarship ambition, we have the network to find the right support for you.
get support from Britain's only music-specialist scholarship advisory service
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Private music lessons
WHO FOR: For families looking for long-term, consistent and trusted teachers to support their children on their music scholarship journey.
HOW DELIVERED: Classes range from 30-60 minutes and are delivered in person at your home.
COST: £55-85 per lesson depending on lesson length and teacher experience
At A Glance
Our teachers have supported students to gain music scholarships to leading private schools, including Eton College, Westminster School and St Paul’s Girls School.
100% graduates of the top four conservatives
56% have master’s degrees
On average 7 years teaching experience
Personalised student-teacher match
Consultations & Mock Auditions
WHO FOR: For families looking for immediate and precise scholarship support, and who are not ready to commit to the scholarship course.
HOW DELIVERED: In person in central London. The minimum consultation length is 90 minutes.
COST: £295 per hour
At A Glance
The most experienced scholarship experts in the UK, including Ralph Allwood and Howard Ionascu
Mock auditions led by a specialist in your child’s principal instrument, i.e. Professors from the Royal Academy or Royal College of Music
Completely bespoke support to fit your child’s exact needs, e.g. general consultation, scholarship shortlist, mock auditions, sight reading and aural skills assessment