Richard Chester Fund
Fund Update:
Thanks to the exceptional generosity of people like you, the fund has raised almost £31,000.
The first project that the fund supported was a commission from the exceptional Swedish composer, Andrea Tarrodi. NYOS performed the work, alongside guest artists the Amatis Trio, in July 2024. Alongside offering the invaluable musical experience of presenting the world premiere of a work, the composition, with its inventive use of the stage and body movement, pushed NYOS members to explore new approaches to orchestral playing, and it was a fitting tribute to Richard’s dynamic and progressive leadership.
In 2025, the Fund will support the commission of a new accordion concerto written by Jay Capperauld, currently Associate Composer at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, for BBC New Generation Artist Ryan Corbett. The concerto will be premiered as part of a European tour in summer 2025, with the world premiere given at Perth Concert Hall on 1 August.
To support the Richard Chester Creativity Fund, please follow this link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8FK96ZQ6WD28Y
or you can support by posting a cheque to the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland at Office 240, The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow, G15HZ
Like all charities, NYOS has faced exceptional challenges in recent years. Every pound raised will help to ensure that NYOS remains viable, dynamic, and exciting and can nurture Scotland’s young musicians for decades to come.
About The Richard Chester Creativity Fund
Richard Chester MBE was the visionary Director of NYOS from 1987 to 2007. His passion and influence reached generations of young Scottish musicians as he grew NYOS from its early foundations to an internationally recognised training ground for aspiring instrumentalists.
Prior to this, Richard had a long and distinguished career, latterly as principal flautist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, performing in many chamber groups and as a soloist at home and abroad.
The Richard Chester Creativity Fund honours Richard’s exceptional leadership and lifelong dedication to music by raising funds for NYOS in his memory. The aim of the Richard Chester Creativity Fund is to create inspirational, world-class opportunities for aspiring young musicians, based on the principles of opportunity and excellence on which NYOS was founded.
As NYOS evolves to fulfil the needs of a new generation of musicians, the Richard Chester Creativity Fund will support the type of prestigious and inclusive opportunities with which Richard was synonymous, such as providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the 100-strong National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, creating access to our programmes for young people nationally, or providing a platform for a promising young conductor.
Supported by the Chester family, the Richard Chester Creativity Fund will continue Richard’s legacy and support NYOS’s ambitious plans to nurture, celebrate and widen access to outstanding youth orchestras, inspiring young people to realise their potential.
This page will be updated regularly with the latest news about the fund. You can also sign up to receive our newsletters so that you can be the first to hear about fundraising and support opportunities.
