The ability to touch souls and affect lives through music is a gift possessed by few. When combined with exceptional talent and passion, those musicians and their music become truly legendary.
Maria Callas, John Lennon, Sir Edward William Elgar, Miles Davis, Ludwig van Beethoven, Billie Holiday and Jacqueline du Pré have all become immortal through their contribution to music.
Help Musicians, with the kind support of these musicians’ estates, is commemorating their legacies and highlighting that each of us has the opportunity to leave our own legacy to music through a gift in our will.
You too could leave a legacy to music with a gift in your will. A donation in your will could be the most important gift you ever make. It is your chance to make a meaningful investment in the future of musicians. It is your legacy to music.
More than half the support we give to musicians each year is made possible by people remembering Help Musicians in their wills. All gifts are important to us regardless of size – each gift allows us to help someone who really needs our support
If music has inspired you and enriched your life then please leave a gift in your will to help those musicians of the future who might become legends thanks to you.
Why Help Musicians?
We want to see a world in which every musician can reach their full potential without being held back by financial or personal difficulties.
Since 1921, we’ve helped thousands of musicians establish themselves in the music business, get through a serious crisis, cope with long term difficulties and enjoy retirement. As well as providing advice and guidance, we give financial and emotional support. For many, we are a lifeline.
Music is a gift, it enriches all our lives. Leaving a gift in your will could help support musicians of the future and say thank you to musicians of the past.
Peter Whittingham's Legacy
Peter Whittingham was an expert in survival medicine and also a pianist who loved the music of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Sondheim, Bernstein and Oscar Peterson. After his death in 1987 his family set up the Peter Whittingham jazz award from his estate in his memory.
Now in its 25th year, the award has become one of the most prestigious Jazz awards in the UK, supporting artists such as Scott Stroman, Dave O’Higgins, Soweto Kinch, Empirical and Mercury Prize nominees Led Bib, and Roller Trio.
Why leave a gift?
A gift in your will is a personal decision that you will want to discuss with friends and family.
If you would like more information please contact legacy@helpmusicians.org.uk or call Janet on 020 7239 9114.
If you are planning to make or amend your Will to include Help Musicians, download this document for the wording your solicitor needs to include.
Leave a Gift of Royalties
If you receive royalties or copyright payments you can gift these to Help Musicians in your will. By leaving your royalties as a legacy you are giving us a gift that could last for 70 years and making a real investment in the future of music. As a legacy, royalty payments given to us will be exempt from Inheritance Tax.
To leave your royalties to Help Musicians we suggest you contact your royalty company and speak to a solicitor about amending your will.