University News Last updated 20 September
MMus Piano student Maria Linares Molero has been awarded a Lamport Hall Preservation Trust bursary to focus on performance and rehearsals.
Lamport Hall and the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust, which supports a range of classical art forms, have donated a £5,000 scholarship to support talented musicians at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC).
The first recipient of the scholarship is MMus Piano student Maria Linares Molero, who will use the funds to concentrate on rehearsals and performance. Lamport Hall, near Daventry, is the setting for several corporate events throughout the year, where students have the opportunity to perform for guests and visitors to the manor house in preparation for careers as professional musicians.
Maria will be performing a special recital at the Hall – programme to be confirmed – on Friday 25 October.
Maria said: “I am grateful to be the first RBC student to receive the bursary. I am looking forward to developing my performance skills in this inspiring and beautiful setting.
“The financial support will allow me to have the most precious thing I could ask for: Time. The bursary will give me opportunities to perform, go to festivals, attend courses, meet new people and participate in competitions. I appreciate the kind support from Lamport Hall and RBC because it will be a financial boost and an encouragement to keep going as a performer.”
Head of Keyboard Professor John Thwaites said: “The Lamport Hall Scholarship will contribute to Maria’s university fees and cost of living, giving her the flexibility to focus on performance and rehearsal.
“In 2024 Maria recorded the piano works of Anton Urspruch for Naxos Records and contributed to a variety of festivals in the UK. She has already won many competitions and is developing a fine reputation as a soloist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. She is a deserving recipient of the Lamport Hall Scholarship.”
Lamport Hall Executive Director Mark Harrod added: “We are delighted to be supporting Maria this year with her studies. When Sir Gyles Isham set up the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust, he included within the aims of the Trust the promotion of education. Today this is done through a variety of different channels, and we are pleased to have started this new relationship with RBC.
“We look forward to building our relationship, and to welcoming Maria and her fellow students to perform at Lamport. The estate also plays host to weddings and corporate events throughout the year, and these present further opportunities for students to grow their CVs and portfolios, preparing them for careers as performing musicians.”
RBC Principal Stephen Maddock added: “This is an exciting new relationship with Lamport Hall. There are so many avenues to explore for our students and our academic staff as Lamport Hall is not only a beautiful estate full of history, but a champion of the arts and education. Providing opportunities for musicians at the beginning of their careers to play in such extraordinary settings and grow their experience of liaising with employers and bookers will develop their employability skills for the future. We are grateful to Mark and his team for their enthusiastic support.”