St Cecilia has long been regarded as the Patron Saint of Music and Musicians. The celebration of her festival day, 22 November, by musical performances has been the practice in Europe for many centuries.

Recognising the disadvantages that local music students face compared with their metropolitan counterparts the Eurobodalla St Cecilia Music Scholarship association was formed in 1995 to provide assistance to young musicians in the area.

Every year in October a set of auditions with independent adjudicators is held for music students from 8 to 18 years of age and ten scholarships are awarded ranging from $100 merit awards to scholarships worth $1,000. One of these scholarships is the Maria de Rocco prize named after the founder of the association. Following the auditions an award winners concert is held in November as close as possible to St Cecilia’s day in which the scholarship holders receive their awards and, together with guest musicians, play in front of a public audience. The scholarships can only be spent on items or services that further the student’s musical education.

Initially the awards were restricted to students from the Eurobodalla Shire but as interest in the scholarships widened to neighbouring Shires the ESCMS changed its constitution a few years ago to encompass neighbouring Shires in the Region.

The Association receives an annual grant from the Eurobodalla Shire Council Arts budget of around $2,000. The remaining scholarship costs as well as all operating costs are funded through entrance fees and charges for the auditions and concert, and through generous donations from the general public. The ESCMS is run by volunteers, and all donations from the public attract Australian Taxation Office tax deductibility status.

The ESCMS continues to explore new ways of enriching the musical experiences of young musicians and in 2003 commenced a visiting artists program. Experienced musicians are brought to Batemans Bay from Canberra or Sydney to present a Saturday master class or set of workshops on a particular instrument and, to date, seven such events have been held covering piano, voice, guitar and wind instruments. These classes are at no charge to the students. Following the classes, the invited musicians perform an evening recital for our donors and supporters, and, on occasions, the public in general.

The contributions of our donors have ensured not only the continued existence of this unique program but allowed for its expansion and enrichment.

If you wish to become a donor please use the form from here or contact one of our Committee members.