John Tunnell OBE               

                      Wendy Tunnell

The Tunnell Trust for Young Musicians was established following the merger of the John Tunnell Trust and the Young Musicians' Trust in 1999.

We are a registered charity in Scotland No. SCO21739.

The John Tunnell Trust was formed in 1988 by family members, colleagues and friends of the late John Tunnell, OBE, the founder leader of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The Trust has assisted young professional chamber music ensembles and Scottish Music Clubs by running an award scheme whereby the Trust pays the fees of outstanding young groups to play at Music Clubs all over Scotland with an emphasis on helping Clubs in small and remote places as well as in the major centres. By the end of the next season the Tunnell Trust will have assisted 54 groups and sponsored over 400 concerts in 73 different venues. Young groups are selected annually at auditions held in London.

In 1993 Wendy, John's widow, set up the Young Musicians' Trust wishing to do even more to promote young musicians. She ran the Trust almost single handedly until her untimely death in 1998. The Young Musicians' Trust promoted its own series of concerts in country houses, schools and other venues and staged an annual showcase and performance week at Strathgarry in Perthshire, Scotland whilst winning extraordinary support from many high profile sponsors.

The two Trusts have enjoyed outstanding success. We have been able to provide much needed performing opportunities for Young Musicians at the outset of their careers and vital support for local arts and educational organisations, often situated within isolated communities. By combining the resources of the two former Trusts it has been possible to extend the work of the Tunnell Trust to become an even more important force in the musical life of this country.

The Trust is now under the Artistic Directorship of John and Wendy's eldest son, Jonathan, a professional cellist.

The Tunnell Trust has a specific remit and is sadly unable to assist individuals with grants for study, nor are we able to make grants to other charities seeking funding.

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