| When you attach your name, the name of a loved one or the name of your company to an AYM Award, you’re associated with giving wonderful music to the world. We receive no national government or regional funding, and rely on the commitment of individuals and organisations to support our work – so without you, our generous donors, there would be no AYM. |
The Joan Scrutton Awards In 2010 Awards for Young Musicians and The Joan Scrutton Music Trust joined forces to bring more musical opportunity to talented young people from lower income families across the UK. It was agreed that combining the resources of the two organisations will better enable us to break down the barriers faced by financially disadvantaged talented children. The combined organisation adopted the Awards for Young Musicians name, but the heritage of The Joan Scrutton Trust still continues in the form of a number of annual awards for exceptional string players. The Edith Hemingway Memorial Award The Edith Hemingway Memorial Award was established in 2007 in memory of Edith Hemingway (1923-2006), a talented and enthusiastic singer from Burnley, Lancashire. The Award is endowed by her granddaughter Ria Hopkinson, an amateur pianist and violinist who benefited from similar funding as a student of the Junior School at the Royal Northern College of Music. It is also funded by Edith’s daughter Mal Dolan and Awards for Young Musicians. Ria Hopkinson, Edith’s granddaughter: "As a family, we’re delighted that AYM helped us to establish an award in Edith’s name. She loved to sing and loved young people, so we were especially pleased to see the first award go to Katie, a deserving recipient who wants to keep classical music alive for new generations of listeners. Edith would also be thrilled that someone from Preston has won the award, as she lived in Preston during the Second World War when she was employed making Lancaster bombers." Ria also writes about Freya, a 13 year old oboist and the 2009 recipient of the Edith Hemingway Award: "Our family is delighted to support Freya in her musical activities this year. We knew that Freya had given a fine audition for her AYM Award, but her own description of the many orchestras in which she plays really demonstrates the extent of her musical gifts. Music is central to all our lives, and Freya speaks passionately about her love of playing. She has already achieved so much, and the Edith Hemingway Memorial Award will help her to continue developing as a musician. It feels very special to make a real difference to a young person’s life." Katie, a 17-year-old clarinettist from Lancashire and the first recipient of the award "I was delighted when I found out I had been awarded the Edith Hemingway Memorial Award. This award has helped me greatly in all aspects of my musical training. I can now afford to have weekly music lessons, which have really brought me on as a musician. I was really pleased to learn that Edith was a singer as I love singing. I especially enjoy musical theatre and will be taking my Grade 8 Musical Theatre this November. I absolutely love music – it is such a massive part of my life and without this award I would not be able to enjoy developing my skills." The Billie Wyner Award for Piano The Billie Wyner Award for Piano was established in 2009 by Richard Cohen, in memory of his grandmother: "My grandmother was called Billie Wyner and, while classically trained, established a successful career in British Variety Theatre. My grandma dedicated much of her time to various causes, entertaining troops during the war and latterly performing at old age homes, hospitals and various charitable organisations. I'm very pleased to support Damian - a really talented young pianist - in memory of my grandmother." Damian, a 13-year-old pianist from Cambridge, the first recipient of this award: "I was extremely delighted to receive the Billie Wyner award for 2009. AYM must be aware of many talented, hardworking and deserving young pianists, so to be chosen from all of them is really an honour and I am extremely grateful. The award is going to make a huge difference to my piano tuition. It will enable me to continue full length piano lessons with my specialist teacher for a further year. I am currently working towards my ABRSM Grade 8 piano exam after which I plan to move even further forward towards my desired career as a Director of Music." |
