The Trust was founded in 1958 by the Countess of Munster (Hilary Wilson), who devoted her life to music and who was herself a pianist of considerable talent.

Lady Munster’s generous endowment, from which the Trust’s annual income is derived, currently provides awards totalling up to £240,000 to young musicians to support their final years of study. Details of the current year’s beneficiaries can be found here.

Click here for information about the NEIL BLACK AWARD, established at the Trust to provide a legacy for future generations of woodwind players, and to help keep alive memories of a great musician. You can also find information about how to make a donation.

The Trust also provides a small number of instrument purchase loans to former beneficiaries and runs a Recital Scheme.  Click here for information about the two series of online concerts featuring our Recital Scheme artists and the Leicester International Music Festival.

Recent new initiatives at the Trust have featured collaborations with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra and with the Bolton Music Hub. The aim of these initiatives is to help ensure that musical education and opportunities are available to school-age students who otherwise would not have the funds to access them.