music changes young people’s lives
financial support
FOSYM Grant Applications
Please refer to the FOSYM Grant Application Guidelines to check your eligibility for FOSYM financial support, or contact us by email for more information: info@fosym.org.uk
FOSYM can help towards the cost of activities such as:
- Regular instrumental or vocal lessons for a set period of time;
- Membership of a music group or ensemble;
- Purchase of reeds, stands, or music-related equipment;
- Sheet music for an exam or course;
- An instrumental or vocal exam entry;
- Attendance at a music audition or interview for a music course at a College or University;
- Attendance at a Masterclass or short course that will help musical development;
- Attendance at a concert or musical event that will enhance learning;
- Signposting to instrument hire.
Please answer the questions below to be taken to the relevant link to apply for funding or further information
I am a parent/ guardian/ carer wishing to apply for a child
Does or will your child have music lessons in school provided by Entrust Music Service Staffordshire? Apply for a grant.
If No or Not Sure, please contact us for an application form for a financial grant on info@fosym.org.uk
I am a teacher wishing to apply for a student
Please note you will need to make an application with the parent/guardian.
Are you employed by Entrust Music Service Staffordshire? Apply for a grant.
If No please ask the parent/guardian/carer to contact us for an application form for a financial grant on info@fosym.org.uk
View our funding guidelines
Find out what your donation can do
FOSYM makes Grants to Staffordshire Schools and actively seeks other funding streams to support music activities and projects in schools.
FOSYM makes Grants to Staffordshire Music Centres for a variety of activities to support music making in local areas.
To apply for financial support for a student being taught by an Entrust Music Service Staffordshire teacher:
Download Entrust Music Service Application FormFor more information please contact Entrust Music Service Staffordshire, who administer awards and grants on FOSYM’s behalf.
Email: musicservice@entrust-ed.co.uk
Telephone: 0333 300 1900 and ask to speak to the Music Service Team about FOSYM Awards and Grants.
Parents/ Carers will need to be able to give the following information when making contact:
- Name of child, name of school your child attends.
- Parent/carers email address, parent/carers contact telephone number.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOSYM is grateful for generous financial support from:
THE LAVEY FUND
The Lavey Fund was established by Lynne and Graham Bebbington in partnership with FOSYM, to support young musicians. Young aspiring instrumentalists are supported in the Staffordshire Young Musician of the Year Instrumental Competition. Mrs L Bebbington continues to be a valued member of FOSYM since the death of Graham in 2024.
THE MURFIN FUND FOR PERCUSSION
The Murfin Fund was established in 2018 by a generous gift in memory of Paul Murfin, a percussionist and Staffordshire teacher. It is being used to support young percussionists to obtain special tuition.
Stafford Choral Society
In 2017 Stafford Choral Society instigated an annual Bursary award designed to support a young singer financially and provide a performance opportunity with the choir. Winners of the bursary have included Ed Robinson (2017), Alice Dix (2019) and Josie Lamplough 2022 – all who have been contestants in, or winners of the Staffordshire Young Singer of the Year. The competition has been supported financially by FOSYM since it began several years ago.
The Trustees of FOSYM are delighted that Stafford Choral Society has agreed to work in partnership and will award bursaries directly to the winners of the three singing categories at the Staffordshire Young Musicians Competition this year, and into the future.
The John W R Taylor Memorial Fund
The John W R Taylor Memorial Fund was established in 2012 in memory of a former Staffordshire Director of Music, at the behest of his widow, Mrs Margaret M Hassall BEM, who was a Patron of FOSYM. Young aspiring singers continue to be supported by this funding which was passed to FOSYM when Margaret died in 2022.
Staffordshire Community Fund
We have kindly be awarded funding from Staffordshire County Council’s 2024 Community Fund. Funding has been awarded by Councillor Paul Snape to develop musical education for children in Cannock Town Centre, and from Councillor Colin Greatorex to develop musical education for children in South Lichfield.
Donors and Supporters
- Maier
- Mr Richard Green
- Stafford Sinfonia
- The George Cadbury Fund
- Keele Brass Band Society,
- Tamworth Wind Band,
- acceler8 clinical research,
- Miss Julia Harding
- Cheadle Choral Society
- Endon Community Choir
- Entrust ‘Magic of the Musicals’ Singing Day
- The British Police Symphony Orchestra
- Shropshire and Staffordshire Mark Benevolent Fund
- Beyond The Barricade
- Wates Family Enterprise Trust
- British Gas
- Crimson