Major Donation to BDRS Launches New Education Initiative in the North East
The British Double Reed Society is delighted to announce a generous and significant donation from Michael and Hilary Britton in support of double reed education in the North East of England. This transformative gift will fund the newly established North East Double Reed Initiative, aimed at expanding access to oboe and bassoon tuition for young musicians across the region.
The initiative will provide instruments, reeds, and tuition support to aspiring double reed players while partnering with local schools, music hubs, and youth organisations. Its goal: to break down barriers to learning these wonderful instruments, foster local talent, and build a thriving community of young oboists and bassoonists.
The North East has a personal significance for Hilary and Michael, who were both born in the region and first met in the Sunderland Youth Orchestra. Their deep connection to the area inspired them to focus this major gift on creating opportunities for young musicians in the place where their own musical journeys began.
“We are enormously grateful to Hilary and Michael Britton for their vision and generosity,” said James Turnbull, Chair of the BDRS. “Their support allows us to make a real difference in the region and we are excited to see this initiative take root and grow.”
Initial Plans in Action – Starting Summer 2025
Beginning in Summer 2025, Durham Music Service will launch an exciting new scheme that will enable up to 16 oboe and bassoon students to begin their studies. Their progress will be documented and shared through the BDRS website and in future issues of Double Reed News.
Victoria Bates, Deputy Head of Durham Music Service, said:
“Durham Music Service is absolutely thrilled to be working in partnership with BDRS to create new opportunities for young people to discover the oboe and bassoon. Our new inclusive offer will enable families to access subsidised high-quality tuition, hire of instruments, and performance opportunities around the North East. Working with our school partners and students of Durham University, we believe the next generation of double reed players will be brilliantly supported by this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to see what happens on their double reed journey.”
In addition, BDRS is pleased to be partnering with the Royal Northern Sinfonia and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music to support double reed provision at their Centre for Advanced Training. The initial funding will expand bassoon tuition opportunities for young musicians within the programme.
A Commitment to Continuity
This generous donation from Hilary and Michael Britton is guaranteed for an initial five year period, ensuring continuity for both students and teachers. The sustained support offers the stability needed for young musicians to flourish and for long term partnerships with educational organisations to grow. It also serves as a model of best practice for those considering funding similar initiatives in other regions.
A Call to Support the Future
The North East Double Reed Initiative is part of BDRS’s wider commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation of double reed players. With structured tuition, instrument loans, and community-building events, this programme is set to become a model for future educational outreach.
We invite our members and supporters to join Hilary and Michael Britton in making a lasting impact. With your help, we can launch similar initiatives in other parts of the UK and ensure a vibrant future for double reed playing nationwide.
If you would like to support double reed education and help us bring music to more young people, please contact us at chair@bdrs.org.uk to learn how ongoing donations or legacies can help BDRS grow more educational initiatives.
