Liverpool Philharmonic has touched the lives of many within our city and across the UK. For decades, music-lovers from near and far have made Liverpool Philharmonic a central part of their lives, and wish to support us in securing a prosperous, impactful future – sharing our magic with as many people as possible.
This is the power of a Legacy Gift. These donations resonate throughout the entire organisation, supporting the musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, our local communities, emerging artists, our artistic planning, and making us a dynamic and progressive Orchestra.
If you are interested in learning more about leaving a gift to Liverpool Philharmonic in your will, please contact Charlie Taylor at charlie.taylor@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 210 2903.
Below are some examples of the vital projects supported by Legacy Gifts over the years:
The Impact a Legacy can have on Young People
In 2024, we received a generous donation from Protasia in memory of her son Mark Torkington, who was a talented musician and composer. This gift was to support bursaries for Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, with some funds ringfenced for black or mixed-heritage young people.
Nurturing talent is a responsibility that Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company takes very seriously. Made up of ten ensembles and choirs, including Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Youth Choir, Session Orchestra, and Brass Band, Youth Company ensures that young musicians can fulfil their potential and experience making music from every genre. 450 young people, from beginners to advanced musicians, take part each week and also benefit from music industry career events, work experience, and training for young composers. Youth Company works tirelessly to ensure that its members develop into well-rounded, confident and skilled musicians.
We strongly believe that finances should never be a barrier to young people making music. Therefore, we offer bursaries to those in need of assistance – an option that is becoming more and more important due to increasing pressure on arts funding, and the ongoing cost of living crisis. As such, Legacy Gifts to support the cost of bursaries have a real, tangible impact on Youth Company members and their families.
Find out more about Youth Company
Support our work with young people
Mark Torkington (left), and members of Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
The Impact a Legacy can have on the Next Generation of Orchestral Musicians
In 2022 and 2023, we received generous donations from Professor Tim Jones, in memory of his wife Julia, to support our Emerging Musicians Fellowship.
Leaving a gift in your will could fund positions on the Fellowship – a scheme that sees early career orchestral musicians, often from traditionally underrepresented groups, fully immersed as members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This Fellowship is vital in helping to break down the barriers to embarking on a classical orchestral career.
Find out more about the Fellowship
The Impact a Legacy Gift can have on the Music we Perform
In 2019, we were very lucky to be able to complete our set of 'Forever Bells', making us the first orchestra in the UK to obtain a full set of sonorous church bells – a collection that will last for generations to come. The acquisition of these bells has been an extensive passion project for our former Section Leader Percussionist Graham Johns, who was in the Orchestra for 40 years.
We have chosen to dedicate our largest bell to all those who have left a gift to Liverpool Philharmonic in their will. It is thanks to the generosity of those who loved music that we have been able to plan for such major projects and pave the way for musical excellence in the UK.
Legacy Gifts like this make lasting contributions that shape the future of our Orchestra and the music we are able to perform.
In 2018 we received a significant Legacy Gift in support of In Harmony Liverpool.
Established in 2009, In Harmony Liverpool uses orchestral music making to improve the life chances of children. The project's founding aims were to use music to bring young people, families and communities together and empower them to discover what they could achieve individually and collectively. Now, 1,750 young people aged 0-18 across Everton and Anfield learn a musical instrument, sing and compose, free of charge, every week.
In Harmony is targeted at children with the greatest need and the fewest resources. Over 40% of In Harmony children are classed as living in poverty, and many participants face challenges surrounding special educational needs, mental health issues, social exclusion, addiction, and family disruption.
Donations we receive support the expansion of the project, meaning that we can make a vital, lasting and meaningful impact in the lives of even more young people. Leaving a gift in your will for In Harmony allows future generations to share in a love of music and music making for many years to come.
Find out more about In Harmony Liverpool
The Impact a Legacy Gift can have on our Musicians
In 2010 we received a Legacy Gift which enabled us to acquire a new xylophone – something desperately needed by the Orchestra at the time.
Graham Johns, former Section Leader Percussionist, had been scouring the world for a new xylophone but was only interested in one made from Honduras rosewood, an endangered and protected species of tree. The best xylophones in the world are constructed from this wood (it produces a uniquely beautiful tone) and hail from the early 1900s. They very rarely become available.
Graham put a call out to his musical connections around the globe and struck gold. A set of rosewood xylophone bars, dating from 1912, were discovered in an attic in Chicago, USA. Over a period of months, these bars were analysed, restored, tuned and shipped to Liverpool to become our beautiful xylophone – an instrument that will be cherished for generations to come.
Without this Legacy Gift, we could not have secured this world-class instrument, which still features regularly on the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall stage to this day.
In memory of Kenneth & Pamela Williams – we owe you a great debt of gratitude.
