Featured Charity of the Month
Young Concert Artists Trust (YCAT)
Since 1984, the Young Concert Artists Trust has been identifying, nurturing and promoting outstanding young classical soloists and chamber ensembles trained in the United Kingdom. Set up with Young Concert Artists Inc. (known as YCA) in New York as its example, YCAT has become a significant agent for young musicians and a respected promoter of concerts for all its artists, both past and present.
Representing its chosen artists for a minimum of three years, YCAT's objective is to offer management and guidance in all areas of the profession at the beginning of the musicians' careers before finding suitable commercial management to broaden the artists' horizons. The list of YCAT artists since 1984 on the website speaks for itself.
Auditions are held annually and application forms are available from the YCAT office from November. The next YCAT Public Final Auditions will be held on Friday 16 May 2008 at Wigmore Hall London.
The new YCAT artists will be promoted in Presentation Concerts in London (Purcell Room) and in Manchester (Bridgewater Hall) and will be offered opportunities to appear in the YCAT Wigmore Lunchtime Series both as soloist and in combination with other YCAT musicians.
Mozart Birthday Concert at Cadogan Hall
The Mozart Birthday Concert has been celebrated since 1984. The annual chamber music concert was the inspiration of Alexander Sedgwick and his wife, the pianist Nina Milkina, and has always been held in aid of charity.
This year's Concert on 27 January will feature the BBC Young Musician of the Year, Mark Simpson, YCAT's Doric String Quartet and the pianist, Llyr Williams. Works include the clarinet quintet, the Kegelstatt Trio and solo works for piano. The Concert will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
For more information about YCAT visit the website or watch the video showcasing some of its artists.
Young Concert Artists Trust is most grateful to all those who continue to support the organisation and believe in the work it does - their generosity makes a real difference.
See past charity of the month entries here.