Very disappointed. I've applied for the Musicians Benevolent Fund and have been told today (via e-mail) that I did not get short-listed for audition. They explained that there are 450 applicants this year and the standard is very high....

maybe my standard of playing is really not good enough.

What exactly were you applying for, LK?

you just submit the form (basically is for postgraduate funding) and the funding committee will sort you out.

pressure is really on, i have to practice very hard.... TCL has approved the FTCL venue (manchester cathedral that is) and organ scholarships etc.

They've just sent you their standard reply (which is probably sent to everyone who is unsucessful, regardless of the reason), so try not to read too much into it. It may be that they've rejected your application because you've already got the RNCM scholarship (and they are perhaps giving priority to those without any alternative funding), rather than because they don't think you're good enough.

Bad luck, LK.

Playing Devil's Advocate here, is it really necessary to sit FTCL at the moment? It's a bit costly and, from other things you've said, you've got quite a lot on your plate at present anyhow.

At the moment, the priority is organ scholarship and FTCL...not too worry about the final year recital.

my RNCM entrance scholarship is £3000, but i'm an overseas student, so.... it means a little (in terms of money), consider you are paying like a minimum of £10000 each year.