Music Trust

1. The Trustees met six times in 2015, which, they are pleased to report, has been a good year. The following are some of the highlights:

• The Trust’s application for Charitable Status was successful.
• Melanie Shelton has kindly agreed to take over from Andrew Horton as Treasurer. Andrew is now based in Winchcombe and the Trust is most grateful to him for continuing in office for so long, and for liaising with Melanie to ensure a smooth transition.
• Publicity and marketing has been high on the agenda, involving consultation with experts in the field and a brain-storming session.
• The concert in June given for the Trust by Simon Jones and Zoë Smith was a huge success, attracting a large and enthusiastic audience and a positive response to fund-raising. Another fund-raising concert is planned for the afternoon of 12th June. In Simon’s own words: “A SUMMER AFTERNOON’S DELIGHT: Masterpieces from the Chamber Music repertoire brought to you by talented students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, directed by Simon Jones.” Admission Free. Retiring collection. Afternoon tea will follow the concert.
• Support throughout the year has continued apace, and the Trust was delighted to be able to award a fifth Choral Scholarship as well as award bursaries to Choristers who would otherwise have been unable to attend key training courses. Funding is in place for two Choral Mentors to help develop the voices of young tenors and basses, and for an Organ Scholarship when the time is right.
• The Trust’s current balance is in excess of £16,000, which, with incoming funds, will cover anticipated expenditure in the next financial year and contribute to the building up of a reserve as well as a longer-term endowment fund. It is essential that we build up that surplus in order to achieve the second of our two key aims: to build up an endowment fund for the future. This will be our priority in the next financial year. Our first aim, of providing regular support, has been successful.
• The Trustees are delighted that two of their first Choral Scholars were awarded Choral Scholarships at Oriel College, Oxford and at Royal Holloway, University of London.

2. How many people have benefited from the Music Trust? Clearly our Choral Scholars have gained particular benefit (see above); they in turn will spread that benefit, but the Trustees are convinced that the overall benefit cannot easily be quantified – it spreads so widely, like ripples in a pond. Here are some pointers:

• The more individual training given to our Choral Scholars benefits the whole choir, since their enhanced confidence and skills spread to their chorister colleagues by an infectious osmosis.
• A more confident and musically proficient choir enhances worship and benefits the whole congregation.
• Concerts promoted by the Trust and the Choirs benefit their audience, which are drawn from the whole community and not just church members.
• All Saints Church Marlow has a fine musical tradition, and the Trust’s mission is to help safeguard, develop and enhance this precious aspect of our ministry for the benefit of church and community for years to come. We are confident that, with continued support, this can be achieved.

Clem Virgo
Chairman, ASM Music Trust
March 2016