Trust History
The Martyn Bennett Trust is a registered charity which was formed in April 2005 by the family and friends of Martyn. Whilst Martyn's music will leave its own inspired legacy, and although the memory of Martyn's performances will happily endure in the memories those who saw him play, here in Scotland and all over the world, Martyn also had a real dedication to encourage young musicians to make the most of their talents through teaching and through sharing his own vision of the possibilities of music. It is this aspect of Martyn's legacy that the MBT seeks to promote, safeguard and continue. Alongside Martyn's own mastery of many different genres and instruments, a vital characteristic of his music was its eclecticism and freedom in transcending the boundaries of place, culture, generations, audience divisions, past and present. Martyn's is a music of paradox: ordered and disordered, serious and playful, anarchic but full of integrity, loss and celebration. While rejoicing in or raging at the present, it simultaneously opens a channel to the historical and mythical past, unearthing ancient and marginalised voices to let their vibrancy, eloquence and spirit resound alongside hard-core beats and grooves.
Martyn understood music as an agent for human connectedness in an often fragmented society that is out of touch with both its own traditions and those of other cultures. Martyn often spoke about the idea of 'cultural equity' in relation to the music he created. The MBT will seek to support young musicians who seek, through the medium of music, to bring the spirit, eloquence and beauty of marginalised voices and cultures to audiences that might otherwise never be aware of them. The question of how to capture the mercurial spirit of someone like Martyn Bennett, 'the formidably musical piper, fiddler, composer and mixing magician' is one which will be an on-going challenge!
Trust Manifesto: What will it actually do? Who will benefit?
The Martyn Bennett Trust is specifically aimed at young people (12-25) from any country in the world. We will be making the first Martyn Bennett awards next year.
We will be looking for applicants soon so - Watch this space!!
Through a selection process, the details of which we will disclose soon, we will make awards to young musicians/producers/composers/DJs etc. who show something of the vision, innovation and spirit of Martyn. We will also be supporting young musicians through community based projects and international exchanges. Other intiatives will be to set up an annual Martyn Bennett event in Scotland where the best of innovative, eclectic and inspiring music will be performed and new and surprising collaborations will be forged...
On the Trust Deed, the 'Objects of the Charity' are as follows:
- To advance the education of the public in the musical arts by their public performance; and
- To advance the education of young musicians aged between twelve and twenty five years of age in all or any aspects of the art.
In furtherance of its objects but not further or otherwise the Trustees shall seek:-
By scholarships or grants to assist the higher study of young musicians to purchase musical instruments for them; and
- To arrange education programmes, materials, workshops, training events, seminars, student exchanges and other means to promote their education; and
- To grant bursaries for such young persons and to attend institutions of higher and further education with charitable status for the promotion of the Trust's objects and
- To do any other things consistent with charitable status that the Trustees shall see fit.
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Postal donations to the Martyn Bennett Trust can be sent to:
The Martyn Bennett Trust
BJ Stewart c/o
64 Newbattle Terrace
Edinburgh EH10 4RX
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