About Us

​The Wessex Young Musicians' Trust was established due to the generosity of a Bournemouth lady who loved music and was keen to promote young musicians in their musical ambitions.  She was aware of the Wessex Youth Orchestra (WYO) and the associated groups of younger players and left a generous legacy to support those endeavours and any others, whether in the form of groups or individual players, throughout the Wessex region.

​Since its inception the charity thousands of pounds has been given as grants to numerous youth music groups including, primarily, the Wessex Youth Orchestra, Broadstone Music Series and the Society for Wessex Young Musicians (SWYM).  Multiple individual young musicians have also benefitted from grants to help with their higher musical education at institutions such as the Northern School of Music, the Berlin Youth Orchestra and the Royal Academy of Music.

Grants have been made to help with the cost of music tuition for whom the expense is unmanageable and the Trust is also pleased to have helped a number of dedicated and promising music students of various ages in upgrading their instruments.

​Applications for grants from young musicians living in the Wessex geographical region and who are under 25 years are considered at the Trustees’ meetings, the dates of which are given on this website (here), and must be submitted on the grant application form and supported by the references specified.  Decisions are notified to applicants soon after the Trustee meeting.

Of course the fund is not inexhaustible and donations and legacies of any size are very welcome in enabling us to continue to support young people in their musical endeavours – whether as budding virtuosos or promising musicians who have a passion for music making – are always welcome.