You can make a donation by personal cheque, made payable to 'The Countess of Munster Musical Trust' or BACs transfer to the Trust's bank - CAF Bank, Sort Code 40-52-40, Account No. 00006259. If you are a UK tax payer, you might like to complete a Gift Aid declaration to enable the Trust to reclaim tax on your donation.

The Trust was founded in 1958 by the Countess of Munster, who devoted her life to music and who was herself a pianist of considerable talent. With the assistance of a group of friends and noted musical figures, the Trust was established in 1958, putting onto an enduring basis Lady Munster's desire to help young musicians achieve their full potential towards securing careers as performers.

The Trust provides financial assistance towards the musical education of individual students and the Trustees accept applications from young student singers, instrumentalists and composers, of British or British Commonwealth nationality.

The Trust is a registered UK charity (no. 1031783) and receives no public funding. Its status to date has been based solely on the endowments bequeathed by Lady Munster during her lifetime and in her will. Through careful management of the endowments, the value of the Trust’s portfolio of investments appreciated considerably, sufficient to achieve a significant and sustained impact on the support of postgraduate students over the past 50 years or so. This support is recognised and appreciated by the nation’s conservatoires.

Unfortunately, with impending rises in the cost of education and low investment returns, the Trust’s resources are coming under increasing pressure and it may not be possible to continue all aspects of this important work, certainly not at such a significant level.

In the main, the income is used to support the cost of studies and/or maintenance of outstanding postgraduate students who merit further training at home or abroad and who aim to pursue professional platform careers.

The Trust also helps former beneficiaries at the outset of their professional careers with the cost of buying good instruments, by way of interest-free loans. This is in recognition of the problems facing so many young musicians who, following their years of studentship, have no capital resources to equip themselves with the quality of instrument vital to the advancement of their careers.

A third and highly successful facet of the Trust’s work is the Recital Scheme, which seeks to help some of its most outstanding beneficiaries to become known to a wider musical public and to give them experience on the concert circuit. This is done by sponsoring a number of young artists each year at selected music clubs, choral and orchestral societies and festivals around the country. This is a very important link between studenthood and the profession and, not only does it help the Trust’s beneficiaries, but it also provides essential funding for the music clubs around the country.

If you are interested in music, in the work of the Trust, and in attending concerts and if you would like to help young musicians achieve their targets in the knowledge of the Trust’s longstanding expertise, you might like to make a donation to the Trust or leave a bequest in your will.

For further information regarding leaving a gift to a Charity in your will please visit:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/giving/will.htm

Please consult your solicitor about leaving a bequest to the Trust in your will.

LEAVING A LEGACY TO THE TRUST

Leaving a Legacy
If you would like to leave a legacy to the Trust, you can choose to leave a specific sum of money or the residue to your estate, or you may have a musical instrument which you would like to donate to the Trust.

The wording below may be helpful in drawing up a clause in a new Will and there is a Codicil section if you wish to add to an existing Will.

Different types of gifts:

Pecuniary (a specified sum of money)

“I give the sum of £....... to the Countess of Munster Musical Trust (registered charity number 1031783) for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Secretary shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees for the said gift.”

Residuary (the remainder of your estate after all gifts, debts and costs have been paid)

“I give the residue of my estate (out of which shall be paid my funeral and testamentary expenses debts and any legacies given by this Will or any Codicil) to the Countess of Munster Musical Trust (registered charity number 1031783) for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Secretary shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees for the said gift.”

Specific (a specific asset)

“I give to the Countess of Munster Musical Trust (registered charity number 1031783) my ………………...... to be used for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Secretary shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees for the said gift.”

Codicil - click here to print off Codicil form
(please complete this form if you have an existing Will and wish to amend it)


If you have decided to leave a legacy to the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, we should be very grateful if you would inform us of your decision. Please send us a copy of the form (click here) to tell us about the Legacy you are leaving to ensure the continuation of the Trust's work in future years.

Registered Charity No: 1031783