Benslow Music offers bursary places in partnership with Viola da Gamba Society
2 Dec 2025
News Story
We are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership between Benslow Music and the Viola da Gamba Society through its Joy Dodson Music Fund, aimed at supporting aspiring musicians and enthusiasts of early music.
Together, we are offering three fully funded bursary places for the upcoming Consorting Viols course, taking place from 26 to 29 January 2026 at Benslow Music in Hitchin. These places will be available to musicians aged 32 or younger, who play at a confident or skilful level.
We’re thrilled to partner with the Joy Dodson Music Fund of the Viola da Gamba Society to make this beautiful and historically rich music more accessible. By offering bursary places for the Consorting Viols course, we hope to inspire players and support the continued growth of the viol community. Collaborations like this reflects our shared commitment to nurturing talent and celebrating the joy of making music together.
The Viola da Gamba Society is really delighted to be working in collaboration with Benslow Music to offer the next generation of viol players opportunities to learn more about the wonderful world of consort music. Led by expert coaches they will encounter a wide range of different composers’ music in the welcoming company of other enthusiastic players, and make contacts that will hopefully help them feel part of the Society’s ‘family’ as they continue to explore this special repertory.
The Consorting Viols course provides a unique opportunity for players to immerse themselves in the rich tradition of viol consort music, guided by expert tutors in a welcoming and collaborative environment. This initiative reflects both organisations’ commitment to nurturing talent and making historically informed performance accessible to a wider audience.
How to apply
Applications for the bursary places are now open.
For more details about the course, please see the Consorting Viols page on our website. To apply, please follow this link.
Image courtesy of the Viola Da Gamba Society.