The financial challenges we face

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.

Most students pay fees – heavily subsidized by the income we generate through fundraising and sponsorship – but we also award scholarships based on merit and 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.

How you can help

• 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.
• Become a Friend of NESMS
  New Friends are always welcome.  Membership costs just £15 annually.
• Volunteer
  Please consider volunteering on behalf of the Friends or to serve on one of the committees that make such a vital contribution to the running of NESMS: Music, Finance and Fundraising.  Many different skills and backgrounds can be brought to bear and a close knowledge of music is not required.  Some Friends and volunteers also enjoy looking after visiting tutors and accompanists.
• 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.
• 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, , is more than ready to assist with any enquiries about donations, sponsorship or scholarships from individuals, companies or trust representatives.  , one of our volunteers, deals specifically with applications for funding.