Drybrook & District Ladies Choir

In 1999 the Choir set up the 'Margaret Rose Bursary' as a tribute to their loved and missed Musical Director, Margaret Burford, who died very suddenly in that year.

Initially a £500 Bursary was awarded annually to a young person from the Forest of Dean who intended to take up a career in music. In 2008, to celebrate the 10th Bursary Award, the amount was raised to £750 and it has been raised to £1000 in 2025.

The choir is very proud of the Margaret Rose Bursary and each year we have been amazed by the immense talent of the young people who take part in the auditions. We continue to keep in touch with those who have taken part over the years and follow their careers with interest, supporting them and giving them a local platform on which to display their various skills.

The 2025 Bursary

To celebrate more than 22 years of awarding Young Musicians in the Forest of Dean The Drybrook & District Ladies Choir are giving, this year, a Bursary of £1000 to a committed musician who aspires to a career in music.

APPLICANTS must reside within the boundaries covered by the Forest of Dean District Council and should be between the ages of 14 (or Year 9) & 22 years on October 22nd, 2025.

APPLICATIONS: should contain the following information:

Personal details (name, address, date of birth, email address, phone number)
Details of musical studies/career, future plans, voluntary work undertaken
Details of recent performances
Reasons for applying for the Bursary
What makes music important in their lives

The Closing Date for Applications is September 30th, 2025

Previous Bursary Winners

2018
Lydbrook Training Band & Lydney Training Band

2017
Jack Lythaby - Tenor Horn

2016
Lauren Thornell - Piano & Percussion (Westbury-on-Severn)

2015
James Owston - Jazz Double Bass

2014
George Stratford - Eb Bass (Parkend)

2013
Kieran Ball - Drums (Coalway)

2012
Emily Harding - Trumpet (Mitcheldean)

2011
Ben Stratford - Baritone (Parkend)

2010
Alex Kirk - Piano

2009
Alice Earll - Violin (Ruardean)
Visit Alice's Website »

2008
Rhydian Griffiths - Percussion (Newnham)

2007
Dominic White - Guitar (Tutshill)

2006
Matthew Hawken - Piano, Oboe, Cello (Tibberton)

2005
Richard Phillips - Cello (Westbury)

2004
Sarah Waycott - Flute, Cello (St. Braivels)
Visit Sarah's Website »

2003
David Holland - Viola, Jazz Piano (Rudford)

2002
David Lewis - Percussion (Christchurch)

2001
Ben Birtle - Cello (Littledean)
Visit Ben's Facebook Page »

2000
Jemima Phillips - Harp (St. Braivels)
Visit Jemima's Website »

1999
Gavin Higgins - French Horn (Whitecroft)
Visit Gavin's Website »

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