Want to Help?
NESMS is a charity operating as a non-profit-making company. Our aim is to provide high-quality teaching at the lowest possible cost, and we are helped in this by the wonderful cooperation of tutors and accompanists willing to accept from us a lower level of remuneration than they might receive elsewhere, simply because they believe in the value of what we are doing.
How you can help
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Attend a Fundraising Concert or other event
NESMS is supported by a Fundraising Committee and an active group of Friends who organize money-raising concerts and events. Please support these events. You are guaranteed superb music in a sociable atmosphere. Events are listed on Facebook or you can request to be put on our mailing list.
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Become a Friend of NESMS
New Friends are always welcome. Membership costs just £15 annually.
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Make a Financial Contribution
A number of private individuals make donations. Many such donations have been received towards funding for our scholarship students, our instrument fund and towards core funding costs. You can create a named scholarship or fund or, if you prefer, donate anonymously.
All UK tax payers can boost their donation to NESMS by 25p to every £1, just complete the Gift Aid form here and return it to the NESMS office.
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Make or Suggest a Contact for NESMS
We also rely heavily on the generosity of trusts and foundations, and the corporate sector. So please feel free to recommend NESMS to any business contacts you may have. If you know of trusts or foundations that you feel might support our work please pass on this information to us.
Continuing financial support from all sides is essential to us if we are to maintain the quality of our teaching programme. Our Manager, Colin Brockie, is more than happy to assist with any enquiries about donations, sponsorship or scholarships from individuals, companies or trust representatives. Ann O'Brien, one of our volunteers, deals specifically with applications for funding.
The financial challenges we face
Most students pay fees – heavily subsidized by the income we generate through fundraising and sponsorship – but we also award scholarships based on merit to give free tuition where possible to musically talented individuals who could not otherwise afford to come to NESMS.
Bringing tutors to Aberdeen from all over the UK involves travel and administrative costs – including meals and accommodation, and the provision where necessary of accompanists – which cannot be covered by fees alone. We are fortunate in that some of our Friends and volunteers are able to host visiting tutors thus saving NESMS significant hotel (and often taxi) costs. Even so, the cost of running NESMS is approximately £1,000 per week.