Peter Phillips
Director,
The Tallis Scholars
Co-Director of Music,
Merton College, Oxford
Mark Williams
Informator Choristarum,
Magdalen College, Oxford
Artistic Director of the William Byrd Festival, Portland Oregon
When my grandfather noticed what he perceived in me as an enthusiasm for music at a young age, he urged my parents to buy a piano for the house and I have never looked back. I was fortunate that somebody spotted my potential and that I had access to an instrument and to teaching in order to fulfil that potential.
At every stage of my life, many people have supported my music-making in a variety of different ways and I have been enormously privileged to learn with and perform with superb musicians who have spurred me on to ever greater heights. I am deeply conscious that not everyone enjoys such good fortune, and, mindful of the joy and fulfilment that music can bring, I am delighted to have the chance to play a part in bringing music education to a wider community in Zambia, a country I have been lucky enough to visit. I hope that others will join me as we seek to build facilities and provide teaching for as many people as possible through the work of the Muze Trust.
Unfortunately, I grew up with little music in my family. Perhaps as a result of this, I wanted to make the most of the music lessons on offer at my school, which led me to concentrate on the oboe and the keyboard.
I didn't have a good singing voice and so had no vocal training. However, the voice has always been my favourite instrument, and it was this love which encouraged me to set up a performing ensemble which employs only singers. This ensemble became known as The Tallis Scholars and sings music written for voices alone. I still do not sing – members of the group try and stop me if I try to sing with them! - but I have been very lucky that my interest in singing has lead to a career which concentrates only on that; something I never dreamt would happen.
I would now like to encourage all those who are talented for music but have none of it at home, and develop their interest. I think the Muze Trust is an excellent way of making sure that happens in Zambia. I am thrilled at this initiative, and thrilled to support it.
I look forward to hearing those whom the Trust supports develop on whichever their chosen instrument may be, or advance their singing voice as I never did. There is nothing more joyful.
Emma Pauncefort
Postdoctoral Researcher in Early Modern Cultural Exchange
Choir Administrator, Christ's College, Cambridge
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Fellow, Trinity College, Cambridge
Senior Research Leader at Medical Council Cancer Unit, Cambridge
Our Trustees
I was very fortunate to grow up in a house filled with music; whether it be due to recordings playing in the background, my brother playing the piano, or my father singing as he moved around the house. My parents' enthusiasm for music meant that I was taken along to the local Church to sing in the parish choir at the age of 6. When I started school, I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to undertake violin, piano and singing lessons.
Twenty years on, I cannot imagine a life without music. My closest friendships have been founded on a shared passion for music and I am privileged to have been lead through many sound worlds by choir directors and fellow singers. In addition, I have seen and experienced first-hand the immense joy music brings to spetactor and participator alike.
My research interests lie in how travellers in early modern Europe crossed cultural divides, often through activities such as theatre going and music, and understood those others with whom they came into contact. This work underpins my commitment to the Muze Trust, a charity which recognises the value of music in enriching lives and creating connections across borders.
Born into a clergy household, I grew up surrounded by church music. This, along with piano and clarinet lessons paid for by my parents whilst I was still at primary school, meant I had access to music from a very young age. When I arrived at Cambridge to read Medicine I realised that all the nagging to do music practice, even before breakfast (!) was worthwhile because it opened up all sorts of opportunities to enjoy making music with others. I made lasting friendships, and met my husband Shaun, through the camaraderie of rehearsals and concert successes.
Now that we have four sons, we have prioritised ensuring they have similar musical opportunities, not least as we have seen how music can build their confidence and lead to friendships. As a family we have immense fun with our own eclectic "band" with over eight instruments between us (strictly for private listening!) and we enjoy playing and listening to each other perform in a wide variety of musical genres. It is hard for us to imagine life without music and when I heard about the vision of my medical colleague Paul Kelly for music education in Zambia it was natural that we should support this work. We hope very much that the Muze Trust will help other children have musical opportunities that will endure throughout their lives.