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Charitable Activities

In line with its status as an educational charity, the IAO undertakes and supports various activities in pursuit of this objective. The following special schemes are example activities.

The IAO Grant and Guarantee Scheme

Among the services offered to affiliated associations, this scheme enables an association or group of associations to arrange educational events for the benefit of their members, which might otherwise be beyond their resources or involve an unacceptable risk.

Grants may be applied for that can make it possible for an educational event to be arranged, which might otherwise be beyond the financial resources of the organising association(s). The organising association(s) would be expected to make some financial contribution(s).

Guarantees may be applied for to assist in case of an unexpected loss on an event. Events should be planned to break even. However, the Guarantee, up to an amount agreed in advance, would be paid in the event of an unexpected loss: for example, lower than expected attendance because of exceptional weather conditions or other unforeseen factor.

Grants and Guarantees approved or under consideration over the last year include –

The list of events is added to quite frequently as more and more affiliated associations organise events for which they seek support. For the latest information, please contact the Secretary: Michael Whitehall, 180 Lynn Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 3EB, tel 01945 463826.

In addition, under the Recruitment Incentive Scheme, financial grants have been made to the Oxford and Newcastle-upon-Tyne associations.

Applications for Grants or Guarantees should be always made as early as possible so that they may be considered by the IAO Council. Applications should be sent to, or further information sought from John Stormont.

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The Philip and Gwen Brereton Memorial Fund

The Brereton Memorial Fund was founded in memory of Philip and Gwen Brereton who died in December 2000. Throughout their lives they gave up much of their free-time to work as volunteers for the Incorporated Association of Organists, the Royal College of Organists and the Oldham Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association.

Each year the fund usually offers a number of IAO congress bursaries to enable organ students to attend, who might otherwise be unable to do so.

In addition, the trustees of the Brereton Memorial Fund welcome applications from individuals, charities or other non-profit making societies for financial help towards organ lessons, singing in schools or other projects which further the aims of the fund.

Details may be obtained from Judith Brereton, 78 Millfield Lane, Hull Road, York YO10 3AL. Tel: 01904 413548. E-mail: judebrereton@onetel.com or visit their website: www.breretonfund.org.uk .

Annual Report 2005-2006
The fifth annual Brereton Memorial Fund Recital was given by Gordon Stewart at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 1st October 2005 and a retiring collection at the event raised over £200 for the fund. 

The fund stands at around £29,000 thanks to a generous donation from the estate of Agnes Rolph.  Individual donations and proceeds from retiring collections at annual recitals at Rochdale Town Hall and during the  IAO Congress help to keep the fund total at this level, which means that the interest earned can be used to fund bursaries and awards yearly.  

 

February 2006 saw a bumper number of enquirers and applications to the fund, which meant that the trustees had to make some tough decisions about how many bursaries to award, and to whom they should go.

 

After much deliberation the trustees agreed to grant awards to the following:

§         Martin Clarke, Edward Dean, Simon Hogan, Katy McDermott and William Thomas to attend Oundle Organ summer school.

§         Christopher Colby and Rachel Haworth to help with the cost of organ lessons to work toward  specific exams

§         James Kennerley and Christian Wilson to attend IAO Congress in Germany

§         Anthony Smith to attend RSCM Easter course at Sarum College

§         North East Early Music Forum to fund 6 choral day workshop places for students

§         Plymouth and District Organists’ Association to help fund lessons for one OTES student.

 

The trustees would like to thank all those who have donated to the fund over the last year.  Your donations help us to prolong the life of the fund to ensure that we can offer financial help and support to organists, students, choirs and others,  both this year and hopefully for many more years to come.

 

The Trustees of the Brereton Memorial Fund meet in March each year and applications are very welcome from individuals (old and young) and groups/organisation.  Applications should be sent by post to arrive by 28 February. Application forms are available from Judith Brereton (at the address above) or to download from www.breretonfund.org.

 

The IAO Benevolent Fund

The IAO Benevolent Fund was founded in 1930 by Sir Hamilton Harty, then conductor of the Hallé Orchestra. It is a registered charity, No. 216533, and gives financial help to members or former members of Organists' Associations affiliated to the IAO, and/or their dependants, who are in need. Grants may also be given to sons and daughters of members to help with the cost of organ tuition. The Fund's annual statements of account will be published in Organists' Review.

The Fund depends on voluntary contributions, some from collections at local association meetings, but mostly from individual members. The IAOBF line on the renewal form of your annual subscription to Organists' Review is a convenient way to make a gift. Donations, large or small, are equally welcome; you may also wish to remember the Fund in your will.

Please contact the Secretary and Treasurer, Michael Whitehall, 180 Lynn Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 3EB. Tel 01945 463826. Email: Michael@whitehalls.plus.com

If you know any eligible person who might be in need of help from the Fund, please do not hesitate to contact either the Secretary of your local association or the Secretary of the Fund. All enquiries are dealt with in strict confidence.

At the last meeting of the Trustees and Management Committee of the IAO Benevolent Fund, it was determined that an appeal should be made via the secretaries of all affiliated associations/societies to encourage applications from persons who may qualify to become new beneficiaries.  Do you know of any member, former member or dependant, whose financial circumstances could be improved by a small monthly grant from the fund? There are also opportunities for one-off grants to assist students.  If you do know of anyone who may qualify, please get in touch with the Secretary.


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The Stanley Vann Scholarship Trust

Dr Stanley Vann was for many years, as I am sure most of you will know, the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Peterborough Cathedral, where he raised the standard of the choir to an unrivalled level.  Among those who heard and marvelled at the singing there were Major and Mrs Vernon Yon.  Major Yon was here on a tour of duty from the United States and the sound of that singing stayed with him when he returned to America.  Before his death in 2008, he made funds available for the endowment of a scholarship in honour of Dr Vann. 

The Trust is administered by the IAO and is a designated fund within the IAO accounts.  There are six Trustees, two from the IAO, one from the Vann family and three who have achieved distinction in the field of choral training.  Richard Popple is the first Chairman, with Barry Davis, IAO Treasurer, as the second IAO Trustee.  Martyn Vann, Stanley’s son, is the family representative, and the other three Trustees are Dr John Bertalot, Barry Ferguson and Richard Mason, who acts as Secretary for the time being.  Mrs Phyllis Yon is an Honorary Trustee.  Approval of these arrangements has been given by Dr Vann.

The Object of the Trust
To enhance Anglican choral music by the grant of an annual Scholarship (The Stanley Vann Scholarship) in the form of a monetary award and by such other means as the trustees may decide from time to time.

 
Beneficiaries
Primarily young musicians, professional or amateur, who show promise and wish to improve their skills in the field of Anglican choir training and direction.  The Trustees may, however, at their discretion, make an award to a choir trainer of more mature years; to a promising composer of Anglican church music; in answer to a perceived need, or in recognition of outstanding accomplishment.  Prospective beneficiaries will normally be identified by nomination but personal applications may be entertained at the discretion of the Trustees.  On receipt of a nomination or application, a form will be sent to the originator for completion and return, setting out the particulars needed to enable the Trustees to make a decision.

 

Awards 
There shall be only one designated award (The Stanley Vann Scholarship) each year, but the Trustees may, at their discretion, make one of more supplementary awards in pursuance of the object of the Trust.  Equally, they may withhold the award, if, in their opinion, no worthy candidate is forthcoming.  The value of the prize(s) will be determined according to the available funds for disbursement.


Three scholarship have been awarded, Esther Jones in 2006, Dr Chris Anderson in 2007 and Simon Hogan in 2008.
 

Nominations and Applications for the first awards may be submitted and should be addressed to:

The Trustees, The Stanley Vann Scholarship Trust, 31 Frome Court, Bartestree, Hereford, HR1 4DX, Telephone: 01432 850039.


Donations
Donations to the fund may be made at any time.  Cheques should be made payable to IAO Stanley Vann Scholarship Trust and sent to the address above.



Sites that may be of interest to fundraisers

British Institute of Organ Studies
Institute of British Organ Building
Organ Historical Trust of Australia

Page Updated: Thursday, June 05, 2008 [ ˆ back to top ]