Denne Gilkes Memorial Fund

Denne Gilkes (1889-1972) was a gifted performer and teacher who lived in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Fund was created in her memory to help students of music and drama. The rules of the Fund, as registered with the Charity Commissioners under No. 502269, define its objects as:

1. The advancement of the education of young persons in music and drama
2. Assistance of such young persons in need

Within the general scope of these objectives, the trustees of the Fund have wide powers of discretion to make grants to those studying and practising music and drama. In general, the trustees aim to supplement help available from other sources. The trustees also favour making a contribution toward the cost of schemes proposed rather than meeting the whole cost.

The Committee consider the widest variety of proposals and are anxious not to limit initiative by creating categories. The following are the kinds of activity which might benefit from the Fund and are listed as a broad guideline and as a starting point for thinking amongst potential applicants:

• the purchase of equipment and instruments
• fees for special lessons with eminent teachers
• fees, travel costs and accommodation expenses to attend courses
• the purchase of books and scores for study purposes
• visits to festivals to compete or observe
• sponsorship of recitals for young performers
• loans for music or drama projects

The Fund has a small stock of musical instruments, including violins, violas, a cello, flutes and bassoons, which it loans on an annual basis, for a maximum period of three years. This may be of interest to students keen to continue playing after leaving school, but without the necessary funds to purchase a good quality instrument. The Committee meets periodically and will always endeavour to give quick consideration to an urgent request.

The Fund now owns three bassoons: a Moosman 100N valued at £3,500, a Schreiber 5016 valued at £3,000 and a Fox Reynard short-reach bassoon.

Applications for assistance should be made to either: Jane Woolfenden, tel. 01295 780679 e-mail jane@arielmusic.co.uk; or Jayne Rollason, tel. 01295 788499 e-mail jayne@classicmgt.org.uk.

JW, 14-Feb-2008