Five young musicians are now supported through the Stuart Silcock Young Musicians Award

We are delighted to share how the funds generously raised for the Stuart Silcock Young Musicians Award will be used to support young musicians in Worcestershire. Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of Stuart’s family and friends, we have secured a meaningful way to honour Stuart Silcock’s legacy by providing instrumental tuition to children who may not otherwise have had access to musical education.

Stuart Silcock’s family said:

“Stuart lived for his music and when he was unexpectedly taken from us so suddenly we wanted to find a way for his legacy to continue. As a child Stuart learned the trumpet and guitar. We knew he would approve of helping children learn to play an instrument. Thanks to his amazing friends and fellow musicians Stu Fest was organised in his memory to raise funds and the outcome was The Stuart Silcock Young Musicians Award. We hope the young people who will benefit from the Award will get as much pleasure from their music as Stuart did.”

The funds raised—totalling £11,436—will enable five young people to benefit from our Connect programme for the next four years. Connect is a programme for talented young musicians from low-income families, delivered in partnership with Young Sounds UK.

What the Connect Programme Offers

Each pupil on the Connect programme receives:

Individual weekly music lessons

Additional support through a personalised, individual interactive online learning plan

A £50 music bursary each year (pupils can use this on equipment, music qualifications or experiences e.g. tickets to see an inspiring performance)

Organised termly musical experiences called ‘Get Togethers’ such as workshops with renowned musicians or time in a recording studio, where all pupils on the Connect programme and their families can come together

Mentorship opportunities with Victoria Goddard, a former Severn Arts student now studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Aside from tuition, the Connect programme provides valuable opportunities to attend live performances, engage with inspiring musicians, and develop confidence and community through music. With the addition of the five Stuart Silcock Awarded Young Musicians, we will be able to extend these benefits to even more students who have the passion and talent but face financial barriers to learning an instrument.

Meet the Stuart Silcock Awarded Young Musicians

The five young musicians supported by the Stuart Silcock Young Musicians Award range from school years 3 to 6 and play a variety of instruments, including piano, violin, recorder, cornet, and clarinet. They come from different areas across Worcestershire including Kidderminster and Tenbury Wells and have shown great enthusiasm and dedication to their musical journeys.

One of the children’s families shared:

“Such a thoughtful gesture from Stuart Silcock's family and friends to support the next musical generation. It is like Stuart is living on through them as they can learn and make music to hopefully become musicians in the future.”

Through the Connect programme, they will now have the opportunity to develop their skills and experience with new musical opportunities.

By embedding the Stuart Silcock Young Musicians Award within our Connect programme, we are not only providing tuition but also creating opportunities for meaningful musical experiences. This initiative ensures that Stuart’s passion for music lives on through young musicians who will now have the support to thrive.