Brereton Memorial Fund 2011 Newsletter

BURSARIES AWARDED - 2011

Thomas Allery writes:

 “This summer I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the IAO’s annual congress with funds kindly provided by the Brereton Memorial Fund. It was a wonderful opportunity to join with other members of the IAO from different parts of the country and of the world to experience and enjoy a varied and interesting programme of events prepared by James Little and the Ulster association.

For more information about the IAO Congress and a photo gallery visit www.iao.org.uk

Two students, Ann Burtonwood and Hilary Campbell,  who were about to embark on Masters degree courses at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester) and the Royal Academy of Music (London) respectively were each awarded a token worth £100 to spend on music, books or CDs at Allegro Music.

Small bursaries were given Rebecca Baker and Anthony Daly to help them with the costs of attending the Royal College of Organists’ summer school for potential organ scholars (“The Organ Scholar Experience Course”) Becky Baker writes:

“I returned on Sunday night, after a magical Evensong service in New College Chapel, which concluded the RCO TOSE (The Organ Scholar Experience) in Oxford.   Thank you so much to The Brereton Memorial Fund for giving me the scholarship that enabled me attend this course.

The week was an immensely motivating and rewarding experience, educating me not only in the range of skills needed on the organ but also giving me insight into choral directing and conducting as well as the opportunity to meet other organists.    Overall, the course has inspired me to press on with developing my musicianship skills, but the incredible standards of playing shown by both tutors and students has also given me a new horizon of the fantastic things that can be achieved musically and technically on the organ.  It was a very well organised course and it was astonishing how much we were able to pack into 5 days.”

We were able to help the Junior Choir of St Nicholas Church, Marston with the cost of purchasing music folders and hymn books.  Jarel Robinson-Brown and Damian Thompson were both given bursaries towards the cost of organ lessons in preparation for organ exams.

Imogen Morgan (above) was given some help towards the cost of attending ‘Pulling Out the Stops’  - one of the Oundle Courses for youngsters aged 10-15 who are early-stages organists or pianists who want to learn to play the pipe organ.