Annual Fund

About Leeds College of Music

Leeds College of Music is a specialist music college providing high quality courses in classical music, jazz, popular music and music production at National Diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate level.  One of nine conservatoires in the UK, Leeds College of Music is unique in the range and depth of its provision.  Our courses are designed to prepare students for a career in the music industry, and our students contribute to the cultural life of the region both while studying and after graduating.

Why our students need your support

Music education can be a costly business compared to many other forms of professional training.  Students often undertake postgraduate study to achieve the required level for a career in music, so are at college for four or five years, and because of the large time commitment required for practising, the opportunities to undertake paid work are limited.  As well as having to cover tuition fees and living expenses, music students often require an expensive instrument and there are the additional ongoing costs involved in purchasing the associated equipment and sheet music.

About the Annual Fund

The Annual Fund provides an opportunity for people with an interest in music, or a link with the city of Leeds or the College itself, to play a part in developing the musicians of the future.  All donations received through the Annual Fund will be used to support our students directly, in the form of scholarships, prizes and instrument bursaries.  Your money can now go twice as far - with match funding from the Higher Education Funding Council, there has never been a better time to give.

How your donations help our students

Case study: Scholarship
Alan Hawkshaw Fund Annual Scholarship: Laura Skyers

Alan Hawkshaw, a successful composer and pianist, established the scholarship to put something back into the music business by supporting the training of the musicians of the future.  The scholarship is awarded annually to students studying a range of ‘endangered species’ instruments.  Laura, a BA Music student who plays the oboe, was awarded the Alan Hawkshaw Fund Annual Scholarship for the three years of her studies and used it to fund course materials, music and an electric piano. Since graduating, Laura has gone on to study for a PGCE and is currently working on two CD recordings.

“It was such a help to have the scholarship, it made such a difference. I didn’t have to worry about money” - Laura

Case study: Prize
John Scheerer Prize for Kit Drums: Alistair Thynne

The prize was created with an annual donation from John Scheerer of Scheerer's Music, who wished to reward excellence among drum students on the jazz and popular music programmes.  Third year student Alistair Thynne won the John Scheerer Prize for Kit Drums in 2009, having gained a spectacular 100% in his final recital for the performance module of his degree.  Alistair studied on the BA Popular Music Studies course and gained a first class degree.

"Aside from enhancing my confidence in my own ability, the John Scheerer prize also provided some welcome financial help to aid my progression as a musician. Rewarding students in this way is invaluable, and although fellow prize winners and I would rarely seek out praise, to receive occasional acclaim for the efforts we all put in is very gratifying" - Alistair



Case study: Instrument bursary
Reuben Vincent Trombone Scholarship: Tom I’Anson

Carole Vincent-Wright set up the scholarship in memory of her husband Reuben, a jazz trombonist.  The scholarship is awarded annually in the form of an instrument bursary, and funds the purchase of a new, individually specified trombone.  Tom I’Anson, a student on the BA Jazz course was awarded the Reuben Vincent Trombone Scholarship in 2008, and used the bursary to acquire a Shires custom trombone.

"When I first came to Leeds College of Music it was clear that I needed a trombone able to provide me with a sound and adaptability which would cope with the many challenges I would face as a working musician. Receiving the Reuben Vincent Trombone Scholarship has meant that I now ownsuch atrombone" - Tom I'Anson



Making a donation

Please help us to support the musicians of the future.  We are grateful for donations of any amount and for any purpose that helps to support our students’ academic and professional development.  Donations can be made in several different ways - online through the Leeds College of Music, Just Giving or The Big Give websites, by telephone, by post or in person.  Contact details are shown at the end of this page.  Donations can also be spread over the year on a monthly (over 10 months) or quarterly basis.

Making your donation go further

If you are a UK tax payer, completing a Gift Aid form when you give enables the College to reclaim tax on any donation that you make, adding 25% to its value.  All cash donations are also eligible for match funding through the Higher Education Funding Council’s match funding scheme, and Leeds College of Music is eligible for match funding of £1 for every £1 raised through the Annual Fund.  With both Gift Aid and match funding, a £20 donation would be worth £50.

Donation	Quarterly	Monthly	Gift Aid	Match	Total
£20			£5	£25	£50
£100	£25	£10	£25	£125	£250
£500	£125	£50	£125	£625	£1250

How we say thank you

Anyone making a donation to the Annual Fund will be entitled to membership of our Donors Club.  Members will receive a signed certificate and an invitation to the annual graduation ceremony, prize winners’ recital, and an annual reception with the Principal and Governors.  You will also be named as a donor in our prospectus and on our website, and you will receive a quarterly newsletter to keep you in touch with the College and its developments.  Naming opportunities such as prizes and scholarships also exist for donors in reciprocation of their donation.

How to contact us

For further information or to make a donation please contact David Warren, Director of Development, on 0113 222 3453 or by e-mail to d.warren@lcm.ac.uk

Leeds College of Music
3 Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7PD