For applicants under 30 with limited economic resources coming from an European Country

The Noël Minet Fund scholarship offers funding to applicants under 30 with limited economic resources to participate to our cooperation events or to events held under our label.

We especially encourage applicants from target countries of our Regional Development Strategy to send us their candidatures, though applicants from other European countries can also apply.

The amount of the scholarship generally ranges from 300 to 500 (please note that the higher amount is rarely awarded as we try to give opportunities to as many deserving candidates as possible).

Since 2021, the Noël Minet Fund is administered by the Friends of the European Choral Association.

In 2025, the scholarship offers a grant to applicants wishing to attend one of the following events:

  • Walter Strauss Choral Conducting Masterclass | Ankara, Turkiye |19-25/01/2025 | Turkish Choral Associatio
  • Leading Voices | Tallin, Estonia | 6-10/07/2025 | Estonian Choral Association and Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, in cooperation with the European Choral Associatio
  • Start to conduct as part of the International Singing Week in Ghent | Ghent, Belgium |12-18/ 07/ 2025 |Koor&Stem
  • 13th European Academy for choral conductors | Fano, Italy | 24-31/08/2025 | Feniarco and ARCO

 

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates can apply by filling this application form with

  • Reasons for applying with explanation of economic situation
  • Information if they have applied for or will receive other funds
  • Total budget with specification of participation fees, travel, accommodation, meals and scores
  • CV
  • 2 recommendations
  • plans on how to share the new knowledge and experience with their local community afterwards

Deadlines for applications: 20 November 2024
(only for the 13th European Academy for Choral conductors 2025 the deadline is 30 April 2025)

Note: If the deadline for applying for an event is before the deadline for the scholarship application or decision, you must register with the organiser by the application deadline. If your participation is depending weather you will receive a scholarship, you can inform the organiser that you have applied for Noël Minet Foundation scholarship and that your participation is dependent on whether you receive a scholarship or not.

DONATE

The Noël Minet Fund depends on the generosity of donors to achieve its objects. If you wish to support this work, please transfer your donation to the following account, indicating your name and the reference.

“Donation Noël Minet Fund”

Bank Sparkasse KoelnBonn

IBAN: DE 0237 0501 9819 2985 8932

BIC: COLSDE33

(European Choral Association – Europa Cantat)

Noël Minet

Noël Minet

President of Europa Cantat – European Federation of Young Choirs on 1995-2000

Honorary president of À Cœur Joie International

Honorary president of À Cœur Joie Wallonie-Bruxelles

Previous Scholarship Recipients

2024:

Laura Sheils | European Seminar for Choral Composers    Report

Lidiia Korolevska | Walter Strauss Masterclass in Ankara    Report

2023:

Jovana Kuzmanović | World Symposium for Choral Music in Istanbul    Report

Tisa Mrhar | World Symposium for Choral Music in Istanbul   Report

Julija Uzunova | World Symposium for Choral Music in Istanbul   Report

2018:

Phoebe Bitoon |  (Inter) national Congress for Conductors    Report

Ahmet Can Kızılcan | EuroChoir   Report

Hannah Ewald | EuroChoir   Report

2017:

Noemi | 12th Choir Academy on Orchestra Conducting   Report

Kuo-Jen, Mao |  Lithuanian Choral Music Study Tour   Report

Dariia Holiatina

I found inspiration to keep going in my professional path as a choir conductor. I enjoyed each day and each sound of this beautiful 11 days!

EuroChoir 2022

Firat Bilen

Being in such a musical network is so great that makes me feel alive.

EuroChoir 2022

Evita Rudžionytė

I cannot be thankful enough for Noël Minet Foundation for helping me participate in the Leading voice.

Leading Voices 2022

Zuzanna Koziej

 Those contacts will bring fruits of mutual projects in the future and chances for prospective performances of my pieces.

European Seminar for choral composers 2022

Monika Grigaitytė

During this LAB I have gained not only new knowledge but most important it has changed my understanding of a choir and choir music itself.

Leading Voices 2022

Oleksandra Polytsia

It was really useful for me and I meet a lot of interesting and amazing coach who could give me really practical advices for my choir in future!

Leading Voices 2022

Jovana Kuzmanović

From the morning keynote presentations, lectures, workshops, reading sessions, panels, roundtables and the EXPO to the afternoon and evening concerts there was never a dull moment.

World Symposium for Choral Music 2023

Tisa Mrhar

I believe positive short- and long-term effects of such large cultural projects make them indispensable in the current globalised choral world.

World Symposium for Choral Music 2023

Julija Uzunova

I learned so many new things, listened to so many beautiful sounds, I was able to see incredible stage performances and meet new inspiring people.

World Symposium for Choral Music 2023

Lidiia Korolevska

Thanks to the Noel Minet Foundation, I got into an inspiring working atmosphere, which was necessary for me as a young conductor. 6 days were full of self-improvement, growth, development, and knowledge of other cultures.

Walter Strauss Masterclass in Ankara

Laura Sheils

I am very grateful to the Noël Minet Fund Scholarship, which allowed me to participate in this enriching seminar. I had the opportunity to meet other composers from across the world, gain valuable lessons, skills, and feedback from the composer-tutor Bob Chilcott, and produce a new piece, which I hope to have performed in the future back in Ireland.

European Seminar for Choral Composers 2024