Yorkshire Music Charity To Merge With National Young Talent Fund

A North Yorkshire-based music charity is joining forces with national charity Future Talent to provide increased support for young musicians in Yorkshire and the North East.

Yorkshire Music Future Fund (YMFF) was founded in 2015 by Dr Anthony Gillham MBE, of Oldstead near Thirsk, and Robin Andrews MBE, of Nunnington in Ryedale, to provide grants for performance and projects spanning genres from classical recitals to brass band competitions, choral workshops and musical theatre.

Recipients of YMFF grants have included the Northern Aldborough Festival, Ripon Choral Society, Steel City Choristers of Sheffield, De Mowbray Music in Thirsk, North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre and Helmsley Arts Centre.

The charity has also been strongly committed to helping young brass musicians from all backgrounds improve their skills and confidence and has supported the training of brass band conductors. YMFF backed players aged 11 to 16 from northern brass bands at the annual Huddersfield and Durham competitions, funding three years' tuition for 27 young musicians and a further five years' tuition for 27 more. A YMFF-funded brass day in York was attended by 72 young musicians, tutored by members of the Black Dyke Band, who went on to play in a public concert. Grants have also been made to Yorkshire Imperial Band and Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band.

Future Talent was founded in 2004 by the late Duchess of Kent, whose family home was at Hovingham in North Yorkshire, and Nicholas Robinson OBE. Inspired by her thirteen years teaching at a primary school in Hull, the Duchess established the charity to ensure that low income did not present a barrier to a music education for young people who show great potential.

Through masterclasses, workshops, mentoring and performance opportunities, Future Talent helps young musicians from low-income backgrounds develop their skills and unlock their potential. The addition of YMFF's funds to Future Talent's existing resources will allow the national charity to expand its reach across Yorkshire and the North East, increasing the number of young musicians it supports and building on established YMFF relationships.

Edward Seymour, a YMFF trustee and Director of Music at Ampleforth College, will join Future Talent's board of advisors.

Dr Anthony Gillham said:
"Yorkshire Music Future Fund's trustees are delighted to partner with Future Talent, which has strong Yorkshire roots through its founder, the Duchess of Kent. YMFF has made valuable and varied contributions to the musical life of our region over the past decade. But we believe much more can be achieved through Future Talent, as a national charity with an outstanding reputation for nurturing young musical talent."

Ben Margetts, CEO of Future Talent, said:
"We are honoured that YMFF has trusted Future Talent with its legacy, and we are excited to build on its fantastic achievements. Increasing both the number of young musicians we support in the region and the number of development opportunities we can offer them are key strategic priorities for us. We are delighted that this partnership will help accelerate those plans and enable us to support more young musicians in the years to come."