The Michael Hurd Fund for Young Musicians
The Michael Hurd Fund for Young Musicians supports any special project to develop the skills and experience of young musicians. Here is a selection of past award holders.
Jonathan Mitra (2021)
‘Thank you for your support with my time at NYMT. My role for the course was as the Associate Musical Director, working directly below Jordan Li-Smith. I was able to use the performance of these shows towards my Masters degree in which I earned a Distinction. This training helped me to gain confidence in skills as an MD and has led to me securing job opportunities both on an amateur level as well as starting out in professional work. Thank you once again, the money you provided was a real lifesaver in being able to afford this course after a difficult year financially due to the pandemic.’
Watch Jonathan taking a rehearsal on YouTube.
Simon Lloyd (2021)
‘Thank you for the grant towards a new cornet. We found a second hand (but extremely good condition) Yamaha Xeno cornet. I am really enjoying playing it and it will really help me in the Hampshire County Youth Band and in other occasions, such as playing Last Post on Remembrance Day, so I am very thankful for the help from the grant.’
Rebecca McNaught (2021)
‘I’m very grateful to the Michael Hurd Fund, who helped me to purchase my cello, a beautiful instrument from the 18th century from the workshop of John Betts. This instrument is helping me to forge a career in the music industry as a performer and teacher, and the support came at a time that has been very challenging for many musicians.’
Maria Luc (2021)
‘My award from the Michael Hurd Memorial Fund will enable me to have a series of five lessons with Ron Abramski. I am currently working on the Schumann Fantasie which I would like to gain more insight about with my mentor. The support from the MHMF will help me on my journey as a professional musician, and it is especially encouraging to see that these funds are available to young adults who are connected with the local area.’
Pradip Tran (2016)
The Michael Hurd Fund for Young Musicians, supported Pradip’s growth as a violinist. After only one year of practice, Pradip joined PASSO, and the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra in 2016. The same year he was accepted as the youngest ever member of Petersfield Orchestra where he was nurtured by Robin Browning. Pradip attended the International Musique Cordiale Festival in the south of France in August 2018, and has had the benefit of marvellous teachers – Ishani Bhoola, Sara Struntz-Timossi, Savely Shalman, and finally, in February 2019 he met Felix Andrievsky. He has performed solos in the UK and in France and was also the recipient of ‘Awards for Young Musicians’ for three years in a row.
Helena Moore (2008, 2016)
‘I was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Michael Hurd Memorial Fund for which I will be forever grateful. Whilst studying at music college there are many financial implications on top of tuition fees, such as sheet music, strings, instrument servicing to name a few. The generous grant from the Michael Hurd Memorial Fund enabled me to pursue my passion whilst alleviating some of the stress of financial burdens.’
Victoria Puttock (2014)
‘I was very grateful to receive an award from the Michael Hurd Memorial Fund for Young Musicians in 2014. This helped me to purchase a new soprano saxophone mouthpiece whilst I was studying for my masters at the Royal College of Music. This award also provided me with the opportunity to perform in the award holders’ concert in St Peter’s which was lovely as I’m from Petersfield.’
Matt Parkinson (2013)
‘I received a grant from the Michael Hurd Memorial Fund back in 2015 which I put towards my postgraduate studies at The Royal Academy of Music. Since graduating, I have maintained a busy career as a freelance drummer, percussionist and composer. I am very grateful for the support, which allowed me to take an important step forward in my career.’
Pippa Bint (2012)
‘I am so grateful for the award which opened the door to wonderful musical opportunities including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, masterclasses with Maxim Rysanov and Lawrence Power, and winning the RCM String Quartet Competition. At RCM I enjoyed working with conductors such as Jurowski, Ashkenazy and Haitink, and during post-graduate studies at the Guildhall, I played with the LSO and performed with Sinfonia Cymru and Orchestra of the Swan.’
Josh Hall (2010)
‘The Michael Hurd Memorial Fund was able to help me purchase a quality instrument when I began my studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Without this grant I’m not sure I’d have been able to make the progress in my early years of study which have helped me pursue a freelance career with orchestras such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Opera North.’
Louisa Denby (2010)
‘Giving a bassoon recital less than twenty-four hours after being savaged by a squirrel (with consequent trip to A&E) was not quite how I envisaged my Michael Hurd Memorial Fund award impacting on my musical development, but it was a useful exercise in resilience and putting the idea that “the show must go on” into practice. The award itself enabled me to study with former LSO Principal Bassoonist Martin Gatt, an experience which had a huge impact on my musical development.’
