About the scheme
Applications are now open for the Alfred Hollins Memorial Fund, founded by The Scottish Federation of Organists. The funding scheme is aimed at providing support to any aspiring organists from the blind community. In recent years there has been a decrease in applications however this scheme is a great opportunity for people within the community to gain important support.
There are two main aims for the fund:
- To support vision-impaired students of the organ who intend to become professional organists
- To support the Alfred Hollins Memorial Recital
The Trustees will meet on two occasions each year and applications should be received by 31 January (for consideration by the Trustees in February) or by 31 July (for consideration by the Trustees in August).
From the Scottish Federation of Organists:
Dr Alfred Hollins (1865-1942) was a blind organist, who spent most of his professional life in Scotland, as Organist of Free St George’s Church in Edinburgh (later known as St George’s West). After Hollins’ death, a fund in his memory was established in order to support blind organists in their studies towards becoming professional organists. Over the years, there have been several awards made from this Fund, but in recent years the number has diminished.
About Dr Alfred Hollins
Dr Alfred Hollins, 1865 – 1942 , was a prolific blind organist who spent most of his career in Scotland at “Free St George’s Church” in Edinburgh. Prior to this position his musical career was rich and vibrant holding many a successful concert in numerous places. He performed at Windsor in the presence of Queen Victoria and he also performed to the German royal family in the Lowlands whilst studying in Berlin under Hans Von Builow.
Alfred was born blind in Kingston Upon-Hull East Riding of Yorkshire and when his mother passed away at a young age he was moved to his Aunt. It was here where he had his first piano lesson and subsequently learnt of his perfect pitch. At the age of Nine he went to study at the Wilberforce institution for the blind in York where he continued his passion for music. This early education led him to his enrolment at the Royal national college for the blind in Upper-Norwood in 1878. It was here where he was introduced to playing the Organ.
