Christine Tustain
Classical Music Award

The Acorn Foundation Christine Tustain Classical Music Award is valued at $2,000 and awarded to support the furtherance of studies in classical music (singing or instrumental).

Applications are open and will close at 12pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

Applications to the Acorn Foundation Christine Tustain Classical Music Award are facilitated by Creative Bay of Plenty.

Award value: The award has a base value of $2,000.

Simple online application process:

  • Details of the qualification or course in which the applicant intends to enrol;
  • A brief portfolio of creative work (this can be in video format);
  • A succinct statement outlining your experience, ability and reasons for applying, as well as the impact the award is likely to have on you and how it could benefit the local community in future; and
  • Two testimonials from relevant referees.
  • Applications close at 12pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

Criteria:

  • Applicants must be undertaking or about to commence further study in preparation for a career in classical music.
  • Applicants must provide evidence that they are engaged in, or have been accepted for, an advanced study programme or specialised course in classical music.

Applicants must have:

  • Received at least part of their secondary education in Tauranga or the Western Bay of Plenty district; and/or
  • Currently reside in Tauranga or the Western Bay of Plenty District.

Decisions:

  • The selection panel will consist of a representative from each of the classical music community, Creative Bay of Plenty and Acorn Foundation.
  • All applicants will be advised of the selection panel’s decision.
  • The panel’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • In the event of no decision being made due to insufficient or unsuitable applications, the award will be held over for a year and applications will be re-invited.

APPLY HERE

Christine Tustain Classical Music Award 2026

The Acorn Foundation: Christine Tustain Classical Music Award is bestowed annually to support the furtherance of studies in classical music (singing or instrumental).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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  • Study Intentions:
    Please indicate the qualifications or course in which you intend to enrol:
  • Attachments:
  • Max. file size: 16 MB.
  • * Your experience, ability and reasons for applying, as well as the impact this award is likely to have on your training and how this could benefit the local community in the future. Max. 1500 characters.
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    Max. file size: 16 MB.
      (Format both testimonials into one Word Document, or similar)
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    • Conditions:
    • By submitting this application, you are demonstrating that you understand that:
    • 1) If you are offered and accept the Acorn Foundation: Christine Tustain Classical Music Award, you will only be eligible for the scholarship if you enrol in your specified course of study in the year of tenure and comply with any other specific requirements of the scholarship.
    • 2) If successful, you consent to your name and details of the award being published in conjunction with media coverage, promotion (this includes snapshots of your portfolio) or audit of the prize.

    Privacy Declaration

    The information requested in the attached application form will be used solely for the purpose of assessing your application for this award.  Personal information contained in this application will be made available to members of the selection panel, and staff of the Acorn Foundation and Creative Bay of Plenty.

    The Acorn Foundation undertakes to store your application in a secure place in the event that you are successful in gaining an award or are selected as a reserve candidate for an award.  The Acorn Foundation undertakes to destroy your application to preserve its confidentiality, in the event that you are unsuccessful in gaining an award.  Should you have reason to believe that information held about you in either your application or your academic record is incorrect, you have the right of access to, and correction of, that information.

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