Young Adelaide musician to study at Royal College of Music

Tuesday, 29 July 1997

Adelaide singer Grant Doyle has been accepted into the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, following in the footsteps of a series of great Australian musicians.

Twenty-five-year-old Grant's year of study in London has been made possible through the Elder Overseas Scholarship in Music awarded by the University of Adelaide, and a scholarship from the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship (South Australia).

The Elder Scholarship provides for payment of the Royal College's compulsory fee of more than $20,000 for overseas students as well as a living allowance for 12 months. Composer Miriam Hyde, a former graduate and staff member at the Elder Conservatorium, and a previous winner of the scholarship, has donated royalties from her autobiography to support the scholarship fund.

The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship (South Australia) will provide accommodation in London for Grant.

Grant, a graduate of the University's Elder Conservatorium of Music, is well known in South Australia for his roles with Co-Opera and State Opera.

He said that the scholarship support was invaluable.

"My family is very supportive, but without the scholarship I would never have been able to afford to study at a place like the Royal College of Music," he said.

Grant, who will be accompanied by his wife, Jane McAuliffe, also plans to look for performing opportunities in the opera houses and concert stages of Europe.

The Director of the Elder Conservatorium, David Shephard, said Grant was chosen because of his superb voice, his musical maturity and clear capacity to develop as an outstanding artist. The selection was made after a round of auditions and interviews by a panel of leading musicians.

The Elder Overseas Scholarship was last awarded in 1984 to pianist Lucinda Collins, who is currently a Lecturer in Piano at the Conservatorium. Ms Collins is one of South Australia's outstanding performers.

Brigadier Don Willett, the Vice-President the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship (South Australia), said the league was delighted that Grant had been chosen for the scholarship, and that Grant and Jane would stay at the League's Student House in London.

"We are extremely happy that our proposal will provide a valuable and worthwhile contribution to music studies by a talented young South Australian," he said.

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