A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mendelssohn Scholarship
MENDELSSOHN SCHOLARSHIP. This is the most valuable musical prize in the United Kingdom. It originated in a movement among the friends of Mendelssohn at Leipzig, who, shortly after his death, resolved to found scholarships in his memory, to be competed for and held in that Conservatorium in the foundation of which, not long before, he had greatly assisted. They appealed for help in this undertaking to English admirers of the departed composer, and were met with ready sympathy and co-operation. A committee was formed in London, with Sir G. Smart as Chairman, Mr. Carl Klingemann, Mendelssohn's intimate friend, as Secretary, and Mr. E. Buxton, Treasurer.
The first effort towards raising money was made in the shape of a performance of the 'Elijah' on a large scale, to which Mlle. Jenny Lind gave her willing and inestimable services. This took place Dec. 15, 1848, under the direction of Sir Julius (then Mr.) Benedict, with a full band and chorus, the Sacred Harmonic Society and Mr. Hullah's Upper Schools contributing to the efficiency of the latter force. A large profit was derived from the performance; and this, with a few donations, was invested in the purchase of £1050, Bank 3 per cent annuities—the nucleus of the present Scholarship Fund.
The original plan of amalgamating the London and Leipzig projects fell through, and the money was allowed to accumulate till 1856, when the first scholar was elected—Arthur S. Sullivan, now Dr. Sullivan, head of the 'National Training School for Music.' He was then one of the 'Children of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal,' and he held the Scholarship for about four years, studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and afterwards at the Conservatorium at Leipzig.
In 1865, the funds having again accumulated, Mr. (now Dr.) C. Swinnerton Heap, of Birmingham, was elected to the Scholarship, which he held for rather more than two years. He was succeeded in the early part of 1871 by Mr. W. Shakespeare, a pupil of the Royal Academy of Music, who pursued his studies at Leipzig and subsequently in Italy. At the time of his election, a two years' Scholarship of £20 per annum was offered, out of the accumulated interest; and this was held for a year by Miss Crawford, and again (1873) by Mr. Eaton Faning. The Society's capital then consisted of £1350 in 5 per cent India Stock, now (1879) increased to nearly £2000 by fresh subscriptions and donations, enabling the Society to give their Scholar a stipend of about £90 per annum.
In June, 1875, Mr. F. Corder was elected Mendelssohn Scholar; and he held the Scholarship for four years, studying at Cologne under Dr. Hiller. Miss Maude V. White, the present scholar [App. p.717 "omit the words the present scholar."], was elected in February, 1879. [App. p.717 "Eugene d' Albert held the scholarship in 1881–2, and that the late scholar, Miss Marie Wurm, was elected in Jan. 1884."]
The Committee has consisted, since the institution of the Scholarship, of the following names:—*Sir G. Smart, *Mr. C. Klingemann, *Mr. E. Buxton, Sir Julius Benedict, *Sir W. Sterndale Bennett, Mr. W. J. Beale, Mr C. V. Benecke (Trustee), Mr. A. D. Coleridge, Mr. W. G. Cusins, Mr. J. W. Davison, Mr. Otto Goldschmidt, Sir John Goss, Mr. G. Grove, Mr. C. Halle, Mr. John Hullah, Mr. A. G. Kurtz, Mr. H. Leslie, Prof. G. A. Macfarren, Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, Bt., Mr. Kellow J. Pye, Mr. L. Sloper (resigned), Dr. J. Stainer, Mr. Arthur S. Sullivan, Mr. R. R. Pym (Trustee and Hon. Treasurer), and Mr. Julian Marshall (Hon. Secretary). Mr. W. Godden is the Hon. Solicitor. Death has removed some of the above names (marked with asterisks) from the list, others having been put in their places from time to time. [App. p.717 "The following is a list of the committee, as at present constituted (1887): Mr. Otto Goldschmidt, Mr. J. Barnby, Mr. J. Bennett, Dr. J. F. Bridge, Mr. A. D. Coleridge, Mr. W. G. Cusins, Sir George Grove, Mr. A. G. Kurtz, Mr. Henry Leslie, Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, Mr. K. J. Pye, Mr. R. R. Pym, Dr. Stainer, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Mr. Julian Marshall (Hon. Sec.)"]