Does anyone know of any good schemes that can help children from less well off households pay for private music lessons? Many areas around me are not exactly the poorest, but certainly many are on tight budgets, and most schools have above average school meal entitlements etc. Also my local authority can not support much meaningful music in schools with the pitiful money they are getting. Most of my private pupils to date have come from fairly well off families (eg parents in very good jobs or self employed) and while I have no problem with this, we all know how good music lessons can be for the less fortunate members of society (take the Venezuala project as one example!)

I know the EPTA have funds, but don't think this would help recorder, clarinet teachers etc.

And before anyone asks, no I would not consider giving reduced fees for people as I strongly believe 1) It would undermine the job as a profession and 2) It is asking to be taken advantage of.

I know quite a few - I'll compile a list of those for children (rather than adults) and post them in a minute. Just wanted to let you know!

However, I do know that some of the deadlines passed for applications on 31st January and 1st February.

Others need to be done soon.

I do offer pensioners lessons at a very reduced fee and the benefits that I get are a better choice of solo singers with the choir and a lot of fun and job satisfaction, apart from the fun of finding out that voices can be trained and improved well into old age. I really cannot see a problem with this. I know that they would not be taking lessons elsewhere at the full fee and I enjoy it. Sorry to take this off topic.

I have the contact names for most of the individual trusts I've mentioned below - if you decide to apply to them for funding, feel free to PM me and I'll give you their name.

Most of these are trusts/charities/individuals I've found are most suited to young music students in need of financial aid. everyone's needs are differnet though and of course each person has individual qualifying criteria, depending on age, circumstances, health, instrument played, region they were born/live in etc so I'd highly recommend exploring the website of The Countess Of Munster Musical Trust http://www.munstertrust.org.uk/awards.htm or http://www.munstertrust.org.uk/fghp.htm - as a trust in itself, it has very high standards and so probably is more useful for more advanced musicians, but the website is incredibly helpful and has so many contacts.

THE BOWLAND CHARITABLE TRUST
- not specifically for music or education (like the others below) but "to promote character forming activities for young persons" Preference is given to young people for education or leisure - usually very kind, especially in similar circumstances to what you have mentioned in your post.
TDS House
Lower Phillips Road
Whitebirk Estate
Blackburn
BB1 5TH.
Tel: 01254 676921

The Edward Wilde Foundation - up to £300, can apply in writing anytime of the year
Dunfold Cottage
Deerlap Road
Westcott
Dorking
RH4 3LE

Grut Charitable Trust - up to £100, apply in writing anytime of the year
Poole & Co. Solicitors
Mansion House
Prince’s Street
Yeovil
BA2 1EP

Michael and Shirley Hunt Trust - up to £300, apply in writing anytime of the year (this year I have been told that they are only supporting dependants of prisoners & ex-prisoners, although their focus changes each year - it's still for education in the arts)
Ansty House
High Street
Henfield
West Sussex
BN5 9DA

Lawlor Foundation - can fund large amounts (doesn't have to be!), apply in writing anytime of year
The Courtyard
Beeding Court
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3TN

Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland - need to request an application form and deadline comes up in march/april I think
127 Wellington Road South
Stockport
SK1 3TS

Southdown Trust apply in writing anytime of the year
Canbury School
Kingston Hill
Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey
KT2 7LN

White Rose Children's Aid International Charity - apply in writing anytime of the year
23 Teesdale Road
Ridgeway
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S12 3XH

William Kendall's Charity - not sure exactly how much (around £400-£500), apply in writing anytime
Wax Chandlers' Hall
Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7AD

Tom Acton Memorial Trust
http://www.tomacton.org/application-form

Thomas Wall Trust
http://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/

In general, it all requires a lot of research, but I would definitely encourage anyone applying for funding to call the charity/trust because that seems to improve the success rate for funding (seriously! I think it is because they recognise you when they see your application and you're not just a piece of paper)

Good Luck!



Oh, I'm really sorry, you posted this as I was putting my response together so I didn't see it!

My knowledge of trusts is limited to those for people under 25 (1 or two for unders 30s). But I would still recommend looking at the Countess of Munster as you might find something. The only ones that might be useful are:

THE HARBOUR FOUNDATION LTD
(apply in writing at any time of the year, funding for advancement of education, learning and research of persons and students of any age)
8-10 Half Moon Court
Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7HE.

THE RIVENDELL TRUST
1 Dean Farrar Street
Westminster
London
SW1H 0DY.

You could also try the scheme for social justice at Paul Hamlyn http://www.phf.org.uk/landing.asp?id=3 or and I actually forgot to mention the Music Foundation http://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/ar,91.aspx, which is great. (it tends to favour people under 18, but will consider other applicants.)

Pensioners aren't always poor, David, so don't feel you have to offer discounts. Some are quite well off, with mortgages long paid off, children off their hands, and good company pensions. I expect petrat's pensioners can't afford the full fees, but I'm sure the people you teach have no problem affording your lessons.

petrat is probably in a different financial position from you anyway. It's lovely to be well enough off to be generous to others, but that shouldn't put pressure on those who like you genuinely can't afford to give discounts.

A very useful list, Cadence - I have saved it for possible future use for one of my pupils.

Young recorder players could try the Walter Bergmann Fund - details available from the Society of Recorder Players.

This is really helpful, thanks.

I've just seen an ad in this month's Music Teacher for 'Awards for Young Musicians', www.a-y-m.org.uk

EMI
27 Wrights Lane
London W8 5SW
Tel: 0207 795 7000
Fax:0207 795 7296
http://www.emimusicsoundfoundation.com

Musicians Benevolent Fund
16 Ogle Street, London W1W 6JA
tel: 020 7299 8344
fax: 020 7637 4307
website: http://www.mbf.org.uk
or funding for an instrument purchase
http://www.mbf.org.uk/schoolageinstrumentalists.

I believe the closing date for this is 27th March (according to our music service).

I also offer discounts, but not for any specific group of people; some pensioners are quite well off. But if I get the impression that someone is struggling to pay, or if they are on income support, I would reduce the fee. But I don't advertise that I am prepared to give concessions.