Help Musicians UK

Help Musicians UK (formerly Musicians Benevolent Fund), is a United Kingdom charity offering help for musicians throughout their careers.

History

It was created by Victor Beigel in 1921 as the Gervase Elwes Memorial Fund,[1] following the death of English tenor Gervase Elwes. It was renamed as the Musicians Benevolent Fund in 1926 and became a registered charity. Until his death in 1934, Edward Elgar was the fund's president.[1]

During World War II the fund was supported by proceeds from daily concerts in the National Gallery, London, organized by Myra Hess.[1]

Help Musicians UK launched Music Minds Matter in 2017, after work led by George Musgrave. This was the first 24/7 mental health helpline for musicians.[2]

Purpose

It supports working musicians who are dealing with an illness, injury or accident. It gives financial grants to pay for medical treatment, specialist therapies and living costs and provides one-on-one help to those with life-changing situations. It also provides regular payments and social visits to retired musicians.

Help Musicians UK also supports emerging and graduate musicians. The programme offers funding awards to postgraduate musicians undertaking advanced training, and also helps with short-term treatment costs for music students experiencing health problems.

Amongst the awards they offer, they administer the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award (started in 1989), a £5,000 award for an emerging jazz musician or group to undertake a creative project of their choice, that will support their professional development.

An annual concert in support of the fund is given in London on or near St. Cecilia's Day. In 2014, the charity spent £3.3 million in support of more than 5000 musicians.[1]

References
  1. "Musicians Benevolent Fund". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. 2001.
  2. "Dr George Musgrave". Gold.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2021.


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