The Dr. Annie Patterson Music Scholarship is open to students entering 1st Year and is awarded to one promising young musician who shows potential to make a difference in the school by contributing to the musical life at Alexandra College.
Dr. Annie Patterson was a pioneer in promoting Irish folk music through public talks and educational initiatives. She studied at Alexandra College in the 1880s and became a Doctor of Music in her early twenties, becoming the first woman to do so in Britain and Ireland. Dr. Patterson was instrumental in the Irish Cultural Revival, composing significant works like ‘Go mairidh ár nGaedhilg slán’, the anthem for the Gaelic League. Appointed as an Examiner in Music at various institutions, she organised the Feis Ceoil music festival and later held a lectureship at University College Cork, where she significantly raised interest in traditional Irish music through a series of public lectures. Her commitment to education and performance extended to radio contributions, culminating in a thriving appreciation for Irish music.
The successful candidate will be awarded a full academic scholarship along with their full music tuition fee. Once a scholarship has been awarded, it will be reviewed annually, based on progress made and on participation in the musical life of the College being deemed sufficient to justify the continuation of the scholarship.
Eligibility
The Dr. Patterson Music Scholarship is awarded on the basis of means, musical and academic ability, and passion for education; the Scholarship is means-tested following the examination and audition for any successful candidates.
Applicants must be at least 12 years of age on 1 January 2026 and must be in 6th Class in Primary School.
Students who have completed all or part of a 1st Year Secondary Course are not eligible to sit for the Scholarship Examination. No exception will be made under any circumstances.
Candidates for the music scholarship must have reached Associated Board grade 3 standard or equivalent in the instrument(s)/ voice being presented for the audition.
Scholarship Exam
All candidates for the Dr. Patterson Music Scholarship must sit the Scholarship Exam.
The Scholarship Exam for entry in August 2025 took place on Saturday 9 November at 10 am. Registration for next year's Scholarship Exam will begin in October 2025.
There is no set syllabus. The standard is that of 6th Class of State Primary Schools. The subjects for the Examination are English and Mathematics. It is the policy of the College not to make available copies of previous examination papers. Please note also that details of results will not be given. The school reserves the right to withhold some or all of the scholarships should a sufficiently high standard not be reached by the entrants in the examination and audition process.
Audition Process
A selection of candidates will be invited for a further audition in the school in January. The audition panel will comprise the school’s Principal, Deputy Principal, and Head of Music.
The audition will involve a performance of two contrasting pieces, a sight-reading test, an aural test, a music theory test, and an interview.
Copies of the music being performed at the audition should be provided for the audition panel.
Successful candidates are required to provide their own accompanist for the audition.
Dr. Patterson Music Scholarship Duties
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To participate in at least two music ensembles at school and to perform at concerts or other events with the ensembles.
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To maintain progress in their instrument(s).
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To maintain an exemplary work record in all subjects.
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To pick music as one of their Junior and Leaving Cert subjects.
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To perform at least once a year at assembly.
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To be an ambassador for Alexandra College at all times. This includes being available for Open Days, Music Festivals, Hope Concerts and other events throughout the year.
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Scholarship holders are expected to give priority to College activities in the event of a clash of events with an external engagement, except where the Head of Music agrees otherwise.
