Ken Palmer High School Music Bursary

Photo of Ken Palmer playing an instrument and smiling.

The Forest City London Music Awards through its Ken Palmer High School Music Bursary program, shows strong commitment and encouragement to young musicians graduating from high school to support their post-secondary music education goals at an Ontario college or university. Each year, the $1,000 bursary is awarded to two outstanding graduating high school students.

This Bursary was founded in the spring of 2014 by Ian Davies and Mario Circelli to honor the memory of the late Ken Palmer, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 65 (Oct. 5, 1948 – Oct. 30, 2013). Ken was an integral part of the London music scene for more than 40 years as a performer with the Dixie Flyers (FCLMA Hall of Fame), Artistic Director of Home County Music & Art Festival (15 years), and as a music teacher/mentor to many young musicians. After two years of fundraising, the first Ken Palmer High School Music Bursary was awarded in 2016 to Keegan Marshall of H.B. Beal Secondary School. Since then, over fifteen more $1,000 bursaries have been awarded. 

Donate to the Bursary Fund

Congratulations To The 2024 Recipients!

The two winners of the Ken Palmer Bursary, Abigail and Sofie, at the Forest City London Music Awards in 2024.

The 2024 Ken Palmer High School Music Bursary winners went to Clarke Road Secondary School student, Abigail Cosstick, who has been accepted to the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University. The 2024 second winner, Sofie Rodgers, who is currently attending Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute and is also accepted and entering the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University. 

The FCLMA and LIFE*SPIN congratulates these two outstanding young students and wish them all the best as they embark on their post-secondary music education journeys.

For Bursary Applicants

Application Deadline: May 9, 2025

The two winners of the Ken Palmer Bursary, smiling with Life Spin Executive Director, Jacquie Thompson, and representatives from the Forest City London Music Awards in 2024.

Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be in their last year of secondary school, with either the Thames Valley District School Board, the London District Catholic School Board, or French Language School Boards.

  2. The applicant must have made a positive contribution to their school music program.

  3. The applicant must be pursuing music as a major, at a post-secondary school in Ontario, upon graduating from secondary school. The institution could be either a University or College program.

A complete application must include the following:

  1. An essay (500 to 1000 words) from the applicant, describing why they would be an appropriate selection for this $1,000.00 CDN bursary.

  2. Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s school Music teacher or a Guidance Councillor.

  3. Letter of intent for continuing post-secondary music education as described.

  4. Complete contact information.

Download The Bursary Application