About the Australian Music Foundation

Helping young Australians achieve musical excellence

2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Australian Music Foundation (AMF). The AMF is a charitable organisation that aims to promote and celebrate Australian musical life by offering scholarships to young musicians who wish to pursue their post-graduate studies overseas as well as performing opportunities, mentoring and career advice.

Studying abroad is crucially important for talented young Australians. Over the past forty-five years, the AMF has supported the studies of over 200 young musicians in some of the finest cultural and educational centres in the UK, Europe and North America, many of whom have either gone on to celebrated international careers or returned to Australia to become highly-regarded orchestral musicians and teachers.

Established in 1975

The Australian Music Foundation was founded in London as a UK-registered charity and was established by a Deed of Trust declared on 30 December 1975. The original trustees were Baron Goodman, The Hon. Sir Davies Hughes, Mr Robert Norman, Group Cpt Douglas Bader, Mr Sam Lynn, and Mr Guy Parsons. The first awards were made in 1980 and the Foundation quickly established strong links to the great London music schools – the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

AMF Alumni now pursue educational and performance opportunities in Europe, the United States & Asia.

The AMF Australia Foundation (trading as the Australian Music Foundation)

In 2006 an Australian Trust to support the work of the AMF was created under the name of “The AMF Australia Foundation” and was publicly launched in December 2007 at a function at Admiralty House, Sydney, by HE The Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery.

Through both these entities, the AMF continues to forge relationships at home and overseas with leading Australian musicians, arts managers, businessmen and philanthropists who share the Foundation’s vision of an Australian musical culture that draws on the best performing traditions from around the world.

Australian Music Foundation, North America

The Australian Music Foundation North America Inc was established in October 2011 to help support the work of the AMF, and to provide support for young Australian musicians studying and commencing careers in the USA. This branch of the AMF has recently been granted 501c3 status as a charitable foundation.

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