About Us

The Trust’s primary aim is to encourage and enable the most talented UK-based performers to continue pursuing their careers in classical music. By offering performance opportunities with fees subsidised by the Trust during the crucial early stages of their professional development, the Trust hopes to help these musicians establish themselves and succeed in the highly competitive world of classical music.

The Trust has a historical connection to the celebrated concert agency Ibbs & Tillett. The Trust was founded in 1970 thanks to a generous bequest from Mrs. Emmie Tillett and we are committed to ensuring that her contribution continues to have a lasting and positive impact on young classical musicians.

As part of its policy of helping young musicians, the Trust became the founding sponsor of a young musician’s scheme created over 30 years ago to bring burgeoning talent to a wider audience through concert platforms around the UK.

The aim of the scheme is to introduce new young artists to the UK concert circuit, providing vital concert experience and allowing for building repertoire and learning professional stagecraft. It also boosts income at a time when finances can be at their most vulnerable.

The scheme also organises an annual concert at a central London venue like Wigmore Hall or Kings Place where the Tillett Debut Scheme artists share a platform, allowing the musicians to perform to as wide and as influential an audience as possible.

The Tillett Trust annually invites a nomination from each of the main British conservatoires for an outstanding student about to enter their second or subsequent year of postgraduate study. These nominees are auditioned and offered study grants according to ability and financial need. All applicants are nominees and these awards are not open to independent individuals.