Music Crossroads International, Focusrite partner on bursary programme

The Focusrite Residential Scholarships will run under the theme Remove Barriers to Creativity and are intended to improve access to music education in the above-mentioned countries.

The MCI says the scholarships are expected to address challenges such as access to music equipment, lack of creative knowledge and geographical barriers for young people in remote areas.

“The scholarship is intended to change the lives of talented young people in each country through music training,” MCI and Focusrite said in a joint statement. "The Focusrite Residential Scholarships will be available to students with the most potential and greatest needs.

“The scholarship will take a student through an entire year of full-time music education with guided access to high-quality instruments and recording equipment. The residential aspect will provide housing for students who require this option to access the training.”

Speaking to Music In Africa, MCI director Joe Herrmann said: “We are nearly done with the selection process and the students will start with their studies soon. This is a trial project and we hope to achieve great results and have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries. Should we achieve the results we expect, there might be a continuation for next year.”

Herrmann said the MCI had employed strict selection criteria to select the scholarship recipients. “We are looking at their talent, their dedication and their need. We are looking for young people with great potential, who can truly benefit from this opportunity and will make good use of it. In addition, the scholarships will be granted to those in most need of financial support.

“What is great here is that we will be able to offer housing for students coming from remote areas outside the capital cities where MCAs are not located. This has been a wish from many people before and we are finally able to implement it through this partnership.”

Herrmann said the partnership would also enable beneficiaries to record music using Focusrite equipment at the academies.

“We are thrilled to have a private company of such reputation supporting our work and we hope that other companies, including local businesses, will see the importance of the work we do and the potential these young people show through our activities. This will open doors to the youth we work for,” he said.