Peter Collins Memorial Bursary

The KSO Music School and the family of Peter Collins, with support from friends, family and community, are proud to provide an annual bursary for students who may not otherwise be able to access private music lessons. The bursary will be awarded through the general bursary process.

About Peter Collins

Peter started singing at a very young age, and although his tastes shifted from the heavy metal that he favoured in high school to the beautiful arias and operatic pieces that he became known for as an adult, music had been in his blood since birth. Peter was often seen with a guitar in his hand and a song in his heart. He took his love of music and turned it into a new career when he returned to Kamloops and became a music teacher and voice coach in 2008. Pete loved teaching voice and guitar students at KISSM and at the KSO School of Music and would always brag about how well each student was doing each week. He felt like he was Uncle Pete to many of the students and couldn't believe how much he loved seeing each child grow as an individual and in their musical skills. Peter loved every one of his students, and he was honoured to be a part of their lives. Whenever Pete encountered a student who struggled make lessons happen financially, he would do whatever he could to help them out - whether that was repairing a used instrument and passing it along or adding minutes on to a lesson for free. He knew what it was like to love music so much and to struggle to learn the craft, and he wanted to help any willing student to make their dreams happen.

And so, when Peter passed away, the Peter Collins Memorial Bursary was born to be able to help other struggling and deserving youth be able to pursue their passion for music like he did. In 2020, we expanded the bursary to include an award for post-secondary students pursuing music.

Eligibility

• The bursary is open to all students attending school in Kamloops or an immediate surrounding area, as well as any current or new students of the KSO Music School (KSMS) who are under the age of 18 at the time of application.
• The student must be taking or planning to take private lessons at the Kamloops Symphony Music School, at another registered music school, or through a certified private music instructor in Kamloops or the surrounding area. (In the case of a private instructor, credentials of the teacher may be verified by the KSMS)
• In the case of current KSMS students, no outstanding charges on account may be remaining at the time of application.
• A fully completed and signed application form and all other required supporting materials must be received by the application deadline. 
• Previous winners of either the Peter Collins Bursary, or Peter Collins Scholarship are eligible, but preference will be given to applicants who have not won previously.

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