The Trustees of this Foundation wish to voice their concern over the summary decision of the PRS to phase out the Classical Music Subsidy.

Sir Michael Tippett set up this Foundation to receive the royalties payable after his death so that they could benefit young musicians and composers who came after him. He remembered the difficulties and financial problems he faced as a young composer and wanted to make a contribution to help others. His act of charity will be directly damaged by the abolition of the subsidy.

While the subsidy is called the "Classical" Music Subsidy, through foundations like this and others set up by British composers, the funds are disbursed with a very broad vision of new and contemporary music, which is permanently evolving. This Foundation is particularly proud of the work we have been able to do, through Sir Michael's lifetime gifts, in supporting projects which bring composers into live activity in schools and in the community. In this way the Classical Music Subsidy would help us continue to support living composers and their activity within society.

We believe that independent foundations such as this are best placed to disburse the royalties of our enlightened founder composer in a way which is imaginative and relevant to the times.

We therefore urge the Committee to ask the PRS to re-consider their mistaken decision to abolish the subsidy, and to restore it for the health of new music making of many different kinds.

May 1999