Royal Society of Musicians
Encyclopedia
The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a charity
in the United Kingdom
that supports musician
s. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" by a declaration of trust signed by 228 musicians, including Edward Purcell
(eldest son of Henry Purcell
), Thomas Arne, William Boyce, Johann Christoph Pepusch
, and George Frideric Handel
. It still operates a bank account at Drummonds Bank
(now part of Royal Bank of Scotland
) which was opened by its first secretary, Michael Christian Festing
, in November 1738.
The Fund received patronage from George III, and it was incorporated by Royal Charter
in 1790. Funds were raised by holding charity concerts, musical dinners, and music festival. Liszt
gave his first concert in England for the benefit of the Society in 1824, aged 12. It also held performances by Mendelssohn
, Moscheles, and Dvořák
. Meyerbeer, Liszt
, and Clara Schumann
all became members. A Society of Female Musicians was formed in 1840, but merged with the Royal Society in 1866.
In the days before the welfare state
, membership of the Royal Society guaranteed a degree of financial security to professional musicians. A second Royal Charter was granted in 1987, confirming its aims to support to all professional musicians (not just members) and their dependents who are in need through illness, disease or old age.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that supports musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" by a declaration of trust signed by 228 musicians, including Edward Purcell
Edward Purcell (musician)
Edward Purcell was born in Westminster, London, the only surviving son of the English Baroque master, Henry Purcell. When his mother Frances died in February 1706, she stated in her will, and apparently in accordance with her husband's wishes, that she had given him a good education.Holman, Peter,...
(eldest son of Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell – 21 November 1695), was an English organist and Baroque composer of secular and sacred music. Although Purcell incorporated Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, his legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music...
), Thomas Arne, William Boyce, Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch , also known as John Christopher Pepusch and Dr Pepusch, was a German-born composer who spent most of his working life in England....
, and George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
. It still operates a bank account at Drummonds Bank
Drummonds Bank
Messrs. Drummond is an English private banking house founded in 1717 by goldsmith Andrew Drummond . Drummonds Bank was owned by the Drummond family until 1924, when it was taken over by the Royal Bank of Scotland in its first acquisition south of the border.The bank offers a variety of services to...
(now part of Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
) which was opened by its first secretary, Michael Christian Festing
Michael Christian Festing
Michael Christian Festing was an English violinist and composer. His reputation lies mostly on his work as a violin virtuoso.-Biography:...
, in November 1738.
The Fund received patronage from George III, and it was incorporated by Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in 1790. Funds were raised by holding charity concerts, musical dinners, and music festival. Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
gave his first concert in England for the benefit of the Society in 1824, aged 12. It also held performances by Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
, Moscheles, and Dvořák
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
. Meyerbeer, Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
, and Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann was a German musician and composer, considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era...
all became members. A Society of Female Musicians was formed in 1840, but merged with the Royal Society in 1866.
In the days before the welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
, membership of the Royal Society guaranteed a degree of financial security to professional musicians. A second Royal Charter was granted in 1987, confirming its aims to support to all professional musicians (not just members) and their dependents who are in need through illness, disease or old age.