Three Choirs Festival

Established in 2011 by Jonathan Godfrey, then Principal of Hereford Sixth Form College, the Herefordshire Music Fund is a charity which provides financial support for young people living in Herefordshire or who attend a county school, to receive vocal or instrumental tuition.

The fund has helped many students of all ages and standards from beginners to advanced players and, this year, is supporting over thirty young people. Over the years a number have progressed to music colleges and universities and are embarked on professional careers but many simply continue to enjoy music for pleasure.

This year the Fund was chosen to be one of the Three Choirs Festival nominated charities and, in addition to being publicised in the Festival programme, was able to take a collection after the outstanding performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.

Jonathan Godfrey said, “I was delighted when the Festival offered their help and we were given the opportunity to ask the audience to donate to the Fund. We collected over £2,350, reflecting the generosity of music lovers in Hereford and beyond. Since government funding for music lessons in schools ceased to exist there is an urgent need to continue to ensure young people from any background can access musical training and I am most grateful to the Three Choirs Festival for their generous support.”

Bruce Herriot, Chair of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival committee, said “We are delighted to support this excellent charity. Three Choirs are committed to delivering community projects, some of which offer young people exposure and opportunity toperform classical music. It is a natural fit that we should work with the Herefordshire Music Fund, and I look forward to delivering projects with them in the future."