It has been a busy spring for the Royal Society of Musicians. In May, we were delighted and honoured that His Majesty The King has accepted the Patronage of the RSM, continuing his association with us following his visit to open our building in Fitzroy Square in 2018. This announcement also continues our long history of support from the Royal Family dating back to 1790 when King George III granted the Society its Royal Charter. More recently, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was our Patron from 1937 until her death in 2002 and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted Patronage in 2013.

In addition to our regular meetings, we have continued our bi-monthly Members’ meetings at 26 Fitzroy Square with growing numbers attending. Continuing our new policy of including some live music in our meetings, on 12 April cellist Ben Tarlton gave a brilliant mini-recital for us, playing on the Society’s William Forster cello.

On 14 April, the annual Jacqueline du Pré Charity Concert at the Wigmore Hall attracted a capacity audience to hear the distinguished Swiss flautist Emmanuel Pahud perform with Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord) and Jonathan Manson (cello) is an enthralling programme of Bach and Telemann. Given in aid of the RSM, we are indebted to these marvellous musicians for generously playing for this concert, which also remembered the life and work of Benedict Cruft.

On 12 May, the RSM was at the Royal Albert Hall for The Really Big Chorus Mozart Requiem conducted on his 80th birthday by Brian Kay. Given in aid of the RSM, our staff and members were there selling porgrammes to raise a significant amount for the Society’s beneficiaries. We are indebted to Brian Kay and all those who performed for their support for the RSM.

The Society continues to work hard in responding to the many applications it receives for assistance. Our Grants team take great care in assessing every application and in the last year 482 beneficiaries were helped with an average grant size of £1,020. Committed to providing vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to music professionals who are unable to work due to physical or mental ill health, this is a significant level of support that the Society can provide.

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