Creating Performance Opportunities for Young Musicians

Since 1988, we have sponsored 63 different chamber groups in over 400 concerts in 71 different music clubs throughout Scotland.

These annual awards are open to young professional chamber music groups based in the United Kingdom whose members have an average age of not more than about twenty seven years.  We do not offer awards to vocal groups nor to singers unless an individual singer is part of a larger instrumental chamber group. We also do not offer awards to instrumental duos consisting of a soloist with accompanist.  Duos in which the players are equal partners, for example in violin and piano or cello and piano sonatas, are eligible. 

We do not make grants.  The awards take the form of paid engagements with local Music Clubs throughout Scotland, usually arranged in short tours, the Trust being responsible for the artists’ fees and the Clubs contributing travel expenses and accommodation.  The fees we pay are relatively modest but the value of the awards is that they provide invaluable platform experience and an introduction to the logistics of planning and carrying out tours. We make a point of offering concerts to Music Clubs even in small and remote places the length and breadth of Scotland and winners must be prepared to undergo the rigours of a Scottish winter.  All of our previous winners have enjoyed the appreciation and hospitality of their host Clubs and have enriched their professional careers.  Many are invited back year after year to places to which they were introduced as Tunnell Trust winners.

It is helpful to the judges if your recording is of a good technical quality.  Video tapes and mini discs are not acceptable. On the basis of the forms and recordings a short list of finalists will be invited to audition in London in early November. The winners will be announced immediately and the 2006 Award Winners concerts will take place during the season 2007/08.

A great number of our Award Winners have gone on to pursue high profile successful international careers.

By paying the concert fees for our Award Winners to perform in Music Clubs all over Scotland, everyone wins! The Young Musicians gain a fee for much needed performing experience, the Music Club receives a ‘fee free’ extra concert in its series and the community have the opportunity to hear first rate music on their doorstep.

Next season we are able to provide 24 ‘fee free’ concerts covering the whole of Scotland from the Borders to the Highlands and the Western Isles.

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